Some characteristics of retailing are:
- Retailing provides direct selling to final consumers which creates convenient access to goods.
- It offers small-quantity sales to households which reduces purchasing effort for consumers.
- It maintains nearby store locations for shoppers which saves consumer time during routine buying.
- It provides wide product assortments within outlets which increases choice flexibility for buyers.
- It ensures personal assistance during purchase interactions which improves decision clarity for customers.
- It allows immediate product possession after payment which enhances buying satisfaction for consumers.
- It offers extended opening hours across the week which increases the flexibility customers have to schedule their purchases.
- It maintains reliable product replenishment cycles which improves customers’ confidence that required items will be available when they visit the store.
- It provides clear shelf labels and price displays which increases the accuracy with which shoppers evaluate product choices.