Retail Terms: Must Read

Electronic retailingA retail format in which the retailers communicate with customers and offer products and services for sale over the Internet.
Factory outletOutlet store owned by a manufacturer.
FranchisingA contractual agreement between a franchisor and a franchisee that allows the franchisee to operate a retail outlet using a name and format developed and supported by the franchisor.
General merchandise catalog retailersNon-store retailers that offer a broad variety of merchandise in catalogs that are periodically mailed to their customers.
Home improvement centerA category specialist offering equipment and material used by do-it-yourselfers and construction contractors to make home improvements.
HypermarketLarge (100,000 to 300,000 square feet) combination food (60 –70 percent) and general merchandise (30 –40 percent) retailer.
InfomercialsTV programs, typically 30 minutes long that mix entertainment with product demonstrations and solicit orders placed by telephone from consumers.
Internet retailingA retail format in which the retailers communicate with customers and offer products and services for sale over the Internet.
Leased departmentAn area in a retail store leased or rented to an independent company. The leaseholder is typically responsible for all retail mix decisions involved in operating the department and pays the store a percentage of its sales as rent.
Multi-level networkA retail format in which people serve as master distributors, recruiting other people to become distributors in their network.
Off-price retailerA retailer that offers an inconsistent assortment of brand name, fashion-oriented soft goods at low prices.
Outlet storeOff-price retailer owned by a manufacturer or a department or specialty store chain.
Party plan systemSalespeople encourage people to act as hosts and invite friends or co-workers to a “party” at which the merchandise is demonstrated. The host or hostess receives a gift or commission for arranging the meeting.
Pyramid schemeWhen the firm and its program are designed to sell merchandise and services to other distributors rather than to end-users.