{"id":4589,"date":"2024-11-13T18:06:27","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T12:36:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/?p=4589"},"modified":"2024-12-19T13:29:19","modified_gmt":"2024-12-19T07:59:19","slug":"what-is-retail-categories-of-retail-stores","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/what-is-retail-categories-of-retail-stores\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Retail? Understanding the Basics, Business Model, and Categories"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The retail market plays a crucial role in our economy, with its size expected to reach 1.7 trillion U.S. dollars by the end of 2025, up from 883 billion dollars in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s an impressive projected growth of<a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/935872\/india-retail-market-size\/\"> 92.6%<\/a> over just six years!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With fierce competition, <strong>there\u2019s no room for error<\/strong>. So, understanding what is retail and the different business models is essential before starting your retail business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ll discuss what retail is, break down its business model, and guide you on how to <a href=\"https:\/\/geoiq.ai\/?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Content&amp;utm_campaign=blog+redirect\">choose the perfect location<\/a> for your retail business, backed by data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"http:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/what-is-retail-categories-of-retail-stores\/#What_is_Retail\" title=\"What is Retail?\">What is Retail?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"http:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/what-is-retail-categories-of-retail-stores\/#The_Business_Model_of_Retail\" title=\"The Business Model of Retail\">The Business Model of Retail<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"http:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/what-is-retail-categories-of-retail-stores\/#Key_Elements_of_a_Retail_Business_Model\" title=\"Key Elements of a Retail Business Model\">Key Elements of a Retail Business Model<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"http:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/what-is-retail-categories-of-retail-stores\/#Different_Categories_of_Retail_Stores\" title=\"Different Categories of Retail Stores\">Different Categories of Retail Stores<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"http:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/what-is-retail-categories-of-retail-stores\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion&nbsp;\">Conclusion&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_Retail\"><\/span><strong>What is Retail?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At its core, <strong>retail is the sale of goods and services to the final consumer<\/strong>. It involves the process of sourcing products from manufacturers or wholesalers and then selling them directly to individuals for personal use.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This act of retailing can occur through multiple channels, <strong>including physical stores, online shops, and even mobile apps.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We can say that <strong>retail is the connecting bridge<\/strong> between the production of goods and the ultimate consumer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What sets retail apart is its focus on selling small quantities of products to individual consumers, unlike wholesale, which targets bulk sales to businesses.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This connecting bridge can be anything from a small kirana shop to big retailers which we\u2019ll get into later on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/retailiq.geoiq.ai\/in\/signup?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=CTA&amp;utm_campaign=blog+sign-up-what-is-retail\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXcJISlKWkdvh_jD65eKfB8ulr6CNeyuTIYFxW87UTTtOVukUadr_fe7qRY9BSRpE2LJrBo1tKl2olp_LnjBJuGiU2PBdpLf-LuH6gGBNvx76YOxvaoEDHGtGPi1GalLYK3fZy3j?key=67PEwo94ZrNIIrAZMlHbZzQ5\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:1202px;height:auto\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Business_Model_of_Retail\"><\/span><strong>The Business Model of Retail<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Given that the <a href=\"https:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/cost-of-opening-a-retail-store\/\">cost of opening a retail store<\/a> involves many factors, it&#8217;s essential to understand the question &#8216;What is retail?&#8217; and its business model before opening a store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Business model in general defines how a company designs its operations to deliver value to customers and generate revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the context of retail, the <strong>business model outlines the method by which a retailer acquires products, sells them, and profits from the transaction.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several types of retail business models, but all share the common goal of selling products or services to the end consumer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Elements_of_a_Retail_Business_Model\"><\/span><strong>Key Elements of a Retail Business Model<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To understand how retail businesses operate on a daily basis and what is retail, we should first understand the key elements that make up the retail business model:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">i) Value Proposition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The value proposition of your store is what will make it stand out from the competition. This <strong>could be anything from offering the lowest prices and providing unique products to delivering exceptional customer service<\/strong> and other unique selling points of your store.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/the-success-story-of-zudio-how-zudio-disrupted-the-fast-fashion-market-in-india\/\">Zudio captured a huge chunk of market share<\/a> <\/strong>with its aggressive pricing strategy. The price of their products appeals to a major market and that\u2019s one of the major factors that drove them to success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Similarly, you should find out what your USP is and build your retail strategy around it to attract and retain customers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can read <a href=\"https:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/the-success-story-of-zudio-how-zudio-disrupted-the-fast-fashion-market-in-india\/\">Zudio\u2019s success story<\/a> to understand its business model and the key takeaways we have laid out that help in your retail journey.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ii) Customer Segmentation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding your target market helps you connect with the right audience and shape your product offerings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Using location demographics like age, gender, household income, population density, and purchasing power can make a huge difference in how you segment your target audience.<\/strong> Your retail and marketing strategies should revolve around these insights and stay adaptable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, you can run <a href=\"https:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/what-is-geofencing-marketing-definition-benefits-use-cases-amp-more\/\">geo-targeted ad campaigns<\/a> with personalized product recommendations based on location data.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXdV605aqnsJB7VmX9tqs0Lg3eKBuk9pHjSsjP_C36W7JNrdfSpSSDrg9N7rh_0JzrQpysCBIFEcxK7CVU11pDsYV_Eg8PfxEB8TakMver6YfNO1QOahaN_CcH6at_6W-OTp4Fw9?key=67PEwo94ZrNIIrAZMlHbZzQ5\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Demographics Data of a Location<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/retailiq.geoiq.ai\/in\/signup?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=CTA&amp;utm_campaign=blog+sign-up\">Sign up for free<\/a> to access these crucial data sets for free!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">iii) Product Offering<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The range of products offered can make or break a retail business. <strong>The right product mix must align with customer preferences and market demand.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Deciding on the product mix should not be a guesswork based on what you see. You should assess the location demographics to understand which products would sell better to your ideal customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here, location intelligence can aid you in choosing the right product mix by assessing existing sales data, and location data, to find the most popular products and preferences within a specific area.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, consider adding impulse buy products that are cheap yet necessary for customers to boost retail sales.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>| GeoIQ helped a major eyewear brand identify the best-selling product lines for each target location, optimizing its product mix to match local demand.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you&#8217;ve determined the product line, <strong>you need to figure out how to source these products efficiently <\/strong>to ensure a smooth supply chain, avoiding stockouts or overstocking.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">iv) Distribution Channels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The distribution channels you will choose don\u2019t necessarily need to be a physical retail store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It can also be e-commerce websites or mobile apps. Choose the one that best suits your budget and your target market needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/10-key-factors-affecting-retail-location-pick-the-right-site-for-your-retail-store\/\">Several factors affect the retail location selection<\/a>, such as <strong>foot traffic, proximity to competitors, accessibility, parking availability, and the demographics of the surrounding area.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Analyzing these factors ensures you select a location that aligns with your target audience\u2019s spending capacity and needs, giving your store the best chance for success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">v) Cost Structure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Every retail business model has a cost structure, which <strong>includes expenses such as inventory management, staffing, marketing, technology infrastructure, rent (for physical stores), and distribution costs.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These costs are recurring, so it\u2019s crucial to manage them efficiently to boost profitability.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if you&#8217;re operating a physical store, <strong>controlling rent and staffing expenses can significantly impact your bottom line.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But <strong>while hunting for low-rent commercial properties you might land on a location where your target audience is scarce<\/strong>. Utilize <a href=\"https:\/\/geoiq.ai\/?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Content&amp;utm_campaign=blog+redirect\">location intelligence platforms<\/a> to identify properties in a location that has enough demand while falling under your budget.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">vi) Customer Relationship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Retail is all about building strong relationships with customers, which can be achieved through loyalty programs, personalized marketing, exceptional customer service, and other <a href=\"https:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/top-10-effective-retail-marketing-strategies-in-2024\/\">effective retail strategies<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ultimately, a business model that focuses on nurturing customer relationships fosters repeat business and strengthens brand loyalty.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">vii) Key Partnerships<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Retailers often form partnerships with manufacturers, suppliers, logistics companies, etc., to help run their business effectively.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Though it might seem like an expense, These partnerships <strong>can lower operational costs <\/strong>and improve your overall supply chain efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you decide to open a store, <strong>try to join hands with the best logistics and supplier partner in your location<\/strong> to make the everyday tasks smoother.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Different_Categories_of_Retail_Stores\"><\/span><strong>Different Categories of Retail Stores<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As you may already know, retail is a broad industry. Each category of retail store focuses on different customer needs, types of products, and purchasing behaviors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If you\u2019re wondering which categories of retail stores would suit your needs and budget, read our comprehensive article on <a href=\"https:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/retail-store-formats-in-india\/\">retail store formats<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For now, let\u2019s take a closer look at the major categories of retail stores in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Franchises<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The number of franchise outlets is growing rapidly as we speak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Franchise stores are retail outlets that operate under a brand\u2019s name (franchisor) but are owned and run by independent operators (franchisees).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Franchisors have standard guidelines for all their product, so the experience of a customer would be consistence across locations, irrespective of who owns a franchise outlet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You can start such a franchise outlet with an investment of as low as Rs. 50,000. Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/10-low-investment-franchises-in-india\/\">10 low-cost investment franchise<\/a> picks to choose the one that best suits your goal!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Examples of Franchise Stores in India:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Domino\u2019s Pizza&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>KFC&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Apollo Diagnostics&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reebok&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/retailiq.geoiq.ai\/in\/signup?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=CTA&amp;utm_campaign=blog+sign-up-what-is-retail\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/4CTA-fran03@4x-1024x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4591\" srcset=\"http:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/4CTA-fran03@4x-1024x300.png 1024w, http:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/4CTA-fran03@4x-300x88.png 300w, http:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/4CTA-fran03@4x-768x225.png 768w, http:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/4CTA-fran03@4x-1536x450.png 1536w, http:\/\/geoiq.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/4CTA-fran03@4x-2048x600.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Independent Stores<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These are independently owned stores, such as Kirana shops, typically operated by individuals or families. <strong>They&#8217;ve been a staple in India for generations and are the go-to choice when you need to quickly restock essentials.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These stores can include a variety of types, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Grocery shops<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sweet shops<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Local boutiques, and more<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to these traditional stores, <strong>independent mobile service centers and accessory shops are also gaining popularity <\/strong>with the rise in mobile usage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Departmental Stores<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Departmental stores are large retail outlets that offer a broad selection of products across multiple categories, all housed under one roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These stores are organized into distinct sections, each specializing in a specific product category, making it easy for customers to find everything they need in one place, <strong>essentially serving as a &#8220;one-stop shop.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These stores are <strong>often owned and managed by reputable names within the region <\/strong>that you can find nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Supermarkets and Hypermarkets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Supermarkets primarily focus on offering groceries and household items, aiming to provide products at affordable prices and often incorporating loyalty programs to attract a wider customer base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hypermarkets, on the other hand, expand their product range to include categories like clothing and electronics, often featuring food courts to improve the shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This type of retail model is typically led by well-known names in the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Examples of Supermarkets and Hypermarkets:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Big Bazaar<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>DMart<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spencer&#8217;s<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 India Family Mart<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Specialty Stores&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Specialty stores are dedicated to a single niche, <strong>focusing exclusively on a specific product category<\/strong>. Known for their expertise and specialized knowledge, these stores may not offer a wide range of products but excel in their particular segment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Specialty stores can include a variety of types, such as drugstores, ethnic wear shops, electronics stores, and more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their deep understanding of a specific category enables them to curate an exceptional shopping experience for customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Examples of prominent specialty stores:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tanishq<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fabindia<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Body Shop<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bata<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><strong>Conclusion&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Though we&#8217;ve outlined the answer to the question &#8220;What is retail&#8221;, it&#8217;s clear that <strong>this industry has a changing nature and adapts continuously to meet the changing consumer needs and market dynamics.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For long-term sustainability in the business, <strong>staying agile, responsive to these shifts, and choosing the perfect location will be the key to building a successful retail business.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/retailiq.geoiq.ai\/in\/signup?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=CTA&amp;utm_campaign=blog+sign-up-what-is-retail\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXc7BvjnlEWj9HCfHCHfjv6sQ8bBFRHzwhbRi7KD4sdkRuC07BlCOQ5V7JX4DOlaPCvyb5aUx-3ci3u_4MZBQf4qpqrPhHCbpTWMwfpMNgu0PKMGBxQgktdnmb8evn7RerOcnogl2A?key=67PEwo94ZrNIIrAZMlHbZzQ5\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is retail would be the first thing to understand before starting a business. This article helps you understand the basics and categories of retail stores to help you make a better decision. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":4593,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[147,146],"class_list":["post-4589","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-retail","tag-categories-of-retail-stores","tag-what-is-retail"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What is Retail? 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