Examples of Retailers: Everything You Need to Know

Retailing is inherently present in our everyday life, from the small, local corner stores to our favorite online clothing stores. As abundant as it is, not all retailers are the same. The differences lie in their product types, business operations, target customers, and so on. In this blog post, we will uncover the basics of retailers with real-world examples to give you a complete look at this industry in today’s commerce landscape.

What is a Retailer?

In layman’s terms, a retailer is a person or a business that sells goods and services directly to everyday consumers in small quantities. This way, these products are usually for personal use rather than for any resale purpose.

You can catch a retailer in every walk of life, since it can take the form of a bookstore, eCommerce website, and even a mobile app. As the final link in the supply chain, a retailer helps bring a variety of products to customers and allows convenient payment.

Retailer vs. Wholesaler: What are the Differences?

When a retailer is in question, some may use it interchangeably with wholesaler. While they are closely mentioned, there are certain differences that set these two apart.

As a whole, while some businesses appear to be wholesalers due to their sizes and product lines, they are still considered retailers. Jump to our list of 13 Examples of Retail Businesses in Different Industries for more details.

Check out this GemPages article: Dropshipping vs Wholesale - Discovering The Most Lucrative Business Strategy.

The Current State of Today’s Retail Businesses

The retail industry is constantly growing, as long as the act of selling and buying is still prevalent. Depending on your target niche, the current landscape could vary. That said, to have a thorough look at today’s retail businesses as a whole, here are some useful data: 

• Global retail industry hit $32 trillions in 2023, and is projected up to $56.4 trillions by 2032.

• The U.S. accounted for about 24.1% of global retail sales in 2024.

• eCommerce sales to exceed $6.8 trillions in 2025, with 28+ millions stores worldwide.

• eCommerce made up 20.1% global retail sales, the first time online shopping passed 20% globally in 2024.

• In 2024, 43% of all eCommerce sales globally were made via mobile devices.

Types of Retail Businesses

Brick-and-Mortar Stores

These are your classic “walk-in and shop” businesses operating through physical locations that can be seen everywhere. Products are often displayed, and customers can interact directly before purchasing.

Pros: Offer tangible product experiences, immediate customer service, strong brand presence, and encourage impulse buying. 

Cons: High operating costs, heavy reliance on foot traffic, and growing competition from eCommerce stores with greater reach.

Examples: Walmart, Target, Macy’s.

eCommerce Stores

These businesses operate exclusively online through websites or mobile apps. By doing so, they can sell without the need for physical outlets and are available 24/7 with a worldwide reach nowadays.

Pros: Global reach, lower operating costs, easy scalability, wide assortment of products, and strong data insights.

Cons: Lack of tangible product interaction before purchase for customers, high return rates, shipping challenges, and intense digital and global competition.

Examples: Amazon, Wayfair.

Omnichannel Stores

Retailers that integrate across physical stores, online shops, mobile channels, and into one seamless experience. This way, customers can switch easily between platforms for browsing, buying, or returns.

Pros: Customer convenience, unified brand presence, improved loyalty.

Cons: High costs, advanced integration and technology, complex logistics, and harder for small businesses to implement.

Examples: Nike, Uniqlo.

Direct-to-Consumers Stores

Utilized by brands trying to bypass wholesalers and third-party retailers. They sell directly to consumers and control end-to-end all aspects of marketing, sales, and fulfillment.

Pros: Higher profit margins, brand control, and direct customer data.

Cons: Expensive marketing needs, higher upfront costs (customer acquisition is expensive), and full responsibility for logistics.

Examples: Warby Parker, Glossier, Allbirds.

Special Niche Stores 

Brands that target highly specific customer groups or focus on narrow product categories. Their strategy is built on specialization and cultivating loyal audiences.

Pros: Reduced competition, loyal customers, easy to build strong credibility, and potential for higher margins.

Cons: Limited market size, difficult to scale, and vulnerable if nice demand declines.

Examples: Lush, Peak Design, Build-A-Bear.

13 Examples of Retail Businesses in Different Industries

1. Walmart - Discount Retail Chain

Walmart is a household name in the American consumer market, as this discount retail chain stands as the most thriving retailer in the country.

While operating mostly in North America, Walmart is no stranger to businesses and consumers worldwide. This retail chain carries a wide array of goods, from electronics to clothing and furniture, making it a largely frequented store with ~255 million weekly visits in 2024.

So, what prompted Walmart to become the world’s biggest retail chain? Its expansive physical locations, professional online presence, and affordability are the main driving forces behind its undeniable growth.

2. Amazon - eCommerce Retailer

Amazon is the pioneer in eCommerce - a multidimensional industry that has gained popularity in this digital age.

Founded in 1994, Amazon started out as a humble online bookstore and quickly expanded into a dominant eCommerce retailer with a comprehensive product catalog. The company possesses its own branded items and subscription services, which have been proven to be success after success. Instead of a typical operation, Amazon adopted an Amazon Seller system - where one can sign up to become a merchant on the platform with exclusive benefits and perks.

Amazon is still steadily growing after more than 30 years in the biz, which is solid proof that it is a leading eCommerce retailer across the globe.

More from GemPages: Shopify Amazon Integration: The 2025 Easy Guide

3. IKEA - Furniture Retailer

IKEA is a familiar name in the furniture niche for its affordable products and unique business concept.

We have mentioned IKEA as an example of an efficient store layout, so it’s no wonder that this Sweden-born furniture brand made the list as a top-tier furniture retailer as well. IKEA’s catalog does not stop at sofas and dining tables, as one can find the smallest kitchen utensil or the cutest house plant as they stroll around the store.

The brand’s ethos is simple: selling a wide range of products at an affordable price. Pursuing a minimal aesthetic that fits every home, this retailer has made a total of €26 million in revenue in 2024, solidifying its reputation as a profitable business.

4. 7-Eleven - Convenience Store Chain

Whenever you want a quick bite or drink, 7-Eleven is a no-brainer destination, making this a worldwide famous convenience store chain.

7-Eleven can be found on the busiest street in Tokyo or the quietest town in the U.S., just a dot among its 84,000 locations worldwide. It is your typical convenience store: small in size, open 24/7, quick customer service, a limited in number but various in product types, etc. The business also produces its private-label products, a mobile app, as well as a delivery service. In essence, this is a prime example of a retailer done right.

5. Kroger - Supermarket Chain

Among countless brands in the U.S., Kroger stands out for its convenience as a store for both groceries and pharmacy.

Kroger is known as one of the largest supermarket chains in the U.S., which stands out not only for its wide assortment of products, but its clever use of traditional grocery retailing with digital innovation as well. Everything from its well-designed eCommerce website, private-label brands, to curbside pickup has contributed to Kroger’s success as a grocery giant.

6. Barnes & Noble - Bookstore Chain

A successful retailer is the one that managed to become the go-to name in its chosen field, which is perfectly demonstrated by Barnes & Noble.

Another top dog in this list is Barnes & Noble - the leading bookstore chain in the U.S. It is not your usual bookstore, as this brand operates on a chain model, with many locations offering in-house cafes, community spaces, book-signing, and book-related gifts.

Its expansion to digital publishing and e-readers also gives users different options to access books and magazines with ease. Among other brands in this niche, a few can surpass Barnes & Noble’s success.

7. Uniqlo - Omnichannel Apparel Retailer

This globally loved clothing retailer opted for an omnichannel business model - a clever strategy to boost sales and maintain steady traffic.

Whether you are a fan of minimalism or not, Uniqlo has definitely passed your radar. This Japanese fashion brand has grown tremendously over the years, and its transition to an omnichannel retailer is an excellent call.

It combined the brand’s established global presence, professional online platforms, and seamless cross-channel integration to present a flexible shopping experience for the modern consumer. If you are looking to capture the same spirit as Uniqlo, it’s time to learn from the best.

8. Warby Parker - Niche Eyewear Retailer

Warby Parker makes designer frames more accessible, in coupled with its online home try-on for a seamless shopping experience.

With 15 years of experience in the industry, Warby Parker has cemented its position as a niche eyewear retailer that provides stylish yet affordable prescription glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses.

The brand’s highlighted service is its Home Try-On Program, where buyers can test the frames in the comfort of their homes before purchasing. Starting out as an eCommerce store, Warby Parker has since opened physical stores to become a nifty omnichannel retailer.

9. Gymshark - eCommerce Fitness Retailer

Started as a humble clothing store, Gymshark has made a name for itself as one of the most recognizable fitness retailers in the market.

Gymshark is hailed as a fitness brand whose products are not only trendy but also high-quality. Finding early achievements in the online space, the brand has been focusing on honing its eCommerce store ever since via different digital channels.

Its popularity is also gained from influencer culture and community engagement, and it has branded itself as an online-first retailer with limited pop-ups here and there. This goes to show that once you have found rapid success, there is no rush to open physical locations as long as your business model works.

10. Fenty Beauty - eCommerce Makeup Retailer

Rose to fame ever since its first launch, Fenty Beauty deserves its title as one of the most successful eCommerce makeup retailers.

Fenty Beauty has only been founded for 8 years, and the brand has quickly risen to stardom not only because Rihanna is the founder, but also thanks to its exclusive shade ranges and trend-forward products as well.

While you can find this brand in beauty outlets like Sephora or Ulta, it still mainly operates online. Fenty Beauty put customer satisfaction and brand loyalty at its core, making it a thriving eCommerce makeup retailer with a close-knit brand-consumer relationship.

11. Build-A-Bear Workshop - Personalized Specialty Retailer

Build-A-Bear is a long-standing specialty store that gives customers a simple yet meaningful shopping experience in an evergreen niche.

Stuffed animals are for everyone, and what’s better than owning a personalized version of your own? By sticking to this mission, Build-A-Bear Workshop has become a familiar name for curated gifts for kids and adults alike. The premise is simple: pick an animal skin, add accessories, stuff it, and personalize further as you wish. This fail-proof experience has made Build-A-Bear a go-to personalized specialty retailer in this niche.

12. Nike - Direct-to-Consumer Retailer

Nike’s business operation is one for the books, given its immense success throughout the years.

Nike is a universally known brand, and its growth over the years is undeniable proof for the brand’s chosen business model as a retailer. By operating across multiple channels and selling directly to customers, Nike managed to garner several income streams, build an impressive customer database, and offer frictionless user experiences both on and offline. If you are testing the waters in the sports and fitness niche, Nike is a case study to learn from.

13. Costco - Membership Clubs

Being a membership warehouse club, Costco has everything you need at a reduced price for an enjoyable shopping experience.

The last retailer example is none other than Costco - America’s favorite membership warehouse clubs, where everything is sold at discounted prices and in bulk. Unlike traditional retailers, Costco operates on a membership-based system, which fosters a steady revenue stream.

In return, customers are granted exclusive perks, bulk savings, and a curated selection of goods. Not a lot of retailers can do what Costco has been doing, which explains its long-standing success in the industry.

What Makes a Retailer Successful?

We will be frank: there is no guaranteed magic recipe to cook up a successful retailer. Your ability to navigate the market, trends, and competitors contributes significantly to the success of your business. With that being said, there are definitely pointers to follow to build a long-lasting business in such a saturated market.

• Customer-First Strategy: plan your branding and marketing strategy around customer experience to ensure convenience at every step of the shopping journey.

• A Strong Supply Chain: efficient inventory management, logistics, and shipping make for a smooth supply chain to precede your business operation.

• Clear Brand Identity: don’t become a carbon copy of anyone; having a memorable brand identity is the key to building long-term customer relationships and trust.

Final Words

The world of retail is multifaceted, and we have made an effort to boil it down to the most concise guide for your reading pleasure. As aspiring business owners, starting from scratch may seem intimidating, but it is an important stepping stone to building a reputation for yourself in this bustling market. We hope these examples of retailers have given you the inspiration needed to jumpstart your own today.

FAQ about Examples of Retailers