The sale of goods and services from individuals or businesses to the end-user is called as retailing. Here, the retailers are part of an integrated system called the supply chain. A retailer purchases products in large amounts from manufacturers directly or through a wholesaler, and then sells smaller quantities to the consumer for a profit. A retail business can be done in either fixed locations like stores or markets, door-to-door or by delivery. The retail shops can be placed on residential streets or in a shopping mall.

Online retailing is a type of electronic commerce used for business-to-consumer i.e. B2C transactions and mail order. It is a form of non-shop retailing.

Types of retailers as per marketing strategy are department stores, discount stores, Warehouse stores, Supermarkets, Malls, Vending Machines and Automated Retail in airports.

Retailing Industry

Any company that sells products to and services to a consumer is considered to be in the retail industry. Retailers purchase products in bulk from manufacturers, importers, or wholesalers, and then separate the products before proceeding to sell the goods directly to consumers. Demand in the retailing industry is influenced by interest rates, consumer confidence in products, and the personal income of the consumers

The Indian Retail Industry is one of the pillars of its economy and accounts for 14 to 15 percent of its GDP. The Indian retail market is estimated to be US$ 450 billion and one of the top five retail markets in the world by economic value. India is one of the fastest growing retail markets in the world, with 1.2 billion people. As per the reports, on December 7^th 2012, the Federal Government of India has allowed 51% FDI i.e. Foreign Direct Investment in multi-brand retail in India.

 Retailing industry comprises of three main sectors namely multiline retail, specialty retail, and internet retail.

Multiline retailers: Here, retailing is done at general merchandisers and department stores. This segment of retailers offer varied products, and may also include warehouse clubs and superstores.

Specialty retailers:  focus on one section of the retail market at a time, such as apparel, computer and electronic, home improvement, sporting goods, or auto parts, amongst others.

Internet retailing: It includes every sale made through the internet.

There are subsectors of the merchandise within these major sectors, who offer through these retail outlets such as food and beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and personal care, motor vehicle dealers, and apparel and footwear merchants.

Retailing Industry Current Trends

As per the reports, the computer and software retailing industry sales in Australia is estimated to increase by 4.3% in 2012-13 to reach $7.53 billion.

Major Retailing Industry Players

Some of the major retailing industry players are Walmart and Kroger in US, Carrefour in France, Tesco in UK, Metro AG in Germany, Costco Wholesale Corporation (Germany), Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd.(Japan), Woolworths Limited (Australia), Koninklijke Ahold N.V (Netherlands),  The IKEA Group (Sweden), Marks & Spencer Group  (UK) etc.