Explain the following retail outlets: (i) department store (ii) mobile shop (iii) chain store (iv) mail order business (v) supermarket

Answer Details

(i) Department store

A department store is a large retail shop, usually in a town centre, divided into several sections or departments, each selling a different class of goods (clothing, furniture, electronics, groceries and so on) under one roof and one overall management. Each department is run almost like a separate shop, and customers can buy a wide variety of goods in one visit.

(ii) Mobile shop

A mobile shop is a moving retail outlet, usually a specially fitted van or vehicle stocked with goods, which travels from place to place taking the goods directly to customers. It is especially useful in rural and scattered areas where fixed shops are few.

(iii) Chain store

A chain store (multiple shop) is one of a group of similar retail shops owned by the same organisation, selling the same range of goods at the same prices, using the same name and layout, and controlled from a central head office. Examples include branches of the same supermarket found in different towns.

(iv) Mail order business

A mail order business sells goods to customers through the post. Customers select goods from a catalogue, price list or advertisement, send their orders and payment by post (or online), and the goods are delivered to them by post or courier without the customer visiting a shop.

(v) Supermarket

A supermarket is a large self-service retail store selling a wide variety of foodstuffs and household goods under one roof. Goods are displayed on open shelves, pre-packed and price-tagged; customers pick what they want and pay at a central checkout. It depends on large turnover and low profit margins.