The business institutions or persons who sell goods to final consumers are calle d retailers.

There are different types of such retailers. For the systematic stu dy they can be divided in different classes, such as on the basis of ownership, on the basis of product line, on the basis of sales volume and on the basis of o peration method. 1. Types of retailers on the basis of ownership On the basis of ownership, retailers are divided into four classes as follows: i. Independent stores The retailing shops operated under the ownership of a single person is called in dependent stores. Because such retailing institutions are operated under the man agement, ownership, direction and control of a person, they are called independe nt stores. ii. Chain stores Chain stores are those retailing institutions, which are operated by a company u nder its ownership and management. Stores are opened at different places and the y are operated under the management and control of company's central office. iii. Contract chain Contract chain means a business institution, which is operated by private entrep reneurs under their own management. But they perform some business related funct ions such as purchase of goods of same nature, branding, advertising etc. jointl y with the retailers. The retailers selling same nature goods enter into contrac t for buying goods. Buying huge amount of goods in this method reduces price of goods and the cost also is borne jointly due to which profit can be increased. iv. Consumer stores The retailing shops operated under the ownership of consumers are called consume r stores. The consumers in association establish such retailing shops to get rid of the exploitation of middlemen. Generally, consumer stores purchase goods dir ectly from producers and sell them to its members at cheap rate. 2. Types of retailers on the basis of product line Retailers can be divided in three classes on the basis of product line as follow s: i. General stores General stores are such retailing shops where all kinds of goods are found or bo ught and sold. In such stores all the necessary goods for the local consumers ar e made available. Foodstuffs, clothes, sports materials, household goods, medici nes etc are found in such stores. ii. Single line stores Some retailers deals in only the goods of certain product line. Such retailers a chieve specialization in selling some kinds of goods. Single line retailers invo lve in dealing in goods belonging to one product line like goods of household us es, medicines, electronic goods, motor cars, clothes etc. iii. Specialty stores

The retailers who deal in only one kind of products of a certain product line ar e called specialty stores or retailers. 3. Types of retailers on the basis of volume of sales Retailers can be divided in two classes on the basis of volume of sales as follo ws: i. Small-scale retailers The retailers who buy and sell small quantity of goods are called small-scale re tailers. Mostly, the small-scale retailers who operate business under sole owner ship or partnership firms keep small stock of goods. They purchase necessary goo ds from wholesalers and sell to local consumers. ii. Large-scale retailers The retailers who buy large amount of goods, keep in store and sell them are cal led large-scale retailers. Such businessmen give emphasis to division of labor a nd specialization to bring effectiveness in their business. The financial positi on of such retailers remain relatively strong and have risk bearing capacity. 4. Types of retailers on the basis of method of operation On the basis of method of operation, retailers can be classified as follows: i. In-store retailing The retailers who sell different goods opening their shops are called shopkeeper s or in-store retailers. Customers buy necessary goods going to retailers' shops . The retailers from small-scale retailing shops to large-scale retailing shops like departmental stores, supermarkets, multiple shops etc from which goods are sold to final consumers, include in in-store retailing class. ii. Non-store retailing Nowadays, retailers are found selling different goods to consumers without estab lishing any shop. Similarly, the practice of selling goods visiting door to door of customers is not a new. Other main methods of selling goods without opening any shop are retailing through mail and use of vending machine.