40 Most Important Types of Retail Stores

In the following article, we have prepared a list of 40 the most popular types of retail stores along with descriptions, definitions and the most common products sold there.

Retail store is defined as a store that sells goods to the public. A retailer purchases goods or products in large quantities from manufacturers directly or through a wholesale, and then sells smaller quantities to the consumer.

40 TYPES OF RETAIL STORES

1. Convenience store
Conveniance store, called also corner store is a small retail business that stocks a range of everyday items. The most frequently sold products in the convenience store include: snack foods, soft drinks, coffee, groceries, confectionery, tobacco products and newspapers. 

2. Supermarket
A supermarket is a shop offering a wide variety of food, beverages and household products, organized into sections. Supermarket is a large retail market that is usually operated on a self-service basis

3. Hypermarket
A hypermarket is a very large retail store that combines a department store and a grocery supermarket.
A hypermarket is sometimes called a hyperstore, supercentre or superstore and typically covers an area of  54,000 to 161,000 sq ft (5,000 to 15,000 square meters).

4. Department store
A department store is a retail establishment offering a wide range of goods. Department stores are divided into departments where various types of products are sold, such as clothing, electronics, home appliances, footwear, toys, cosmetics, sporting goods, food, books, jewelery and many others.

5. E-commerce store
It is a store that allows consumers to directly buy goods or services from a seller over the Internet using a web browser or a mobile app. The most important types of retail ecommerce stores include single brand websites, online retailers and online marketplaces.

6. Warehouse store
A warehouse store is a retailer that operates stores geared toward offering deeper discounted prices than typical supermarkets. Warehouse stores typically have more than 10,800 sq ft (1,000 m2 ) of floor area. Products such as food, groceries, furniture, paints, walls, carpets and many others can be sold there.

7. Kiosk
A kiosk refers to a small, temporary, stand-alone booth used in high-traffic areas for vend merchandise (such as newspapers) or services (such as film developing).

8. Stall 
A stall is a stand, booth, or compartment where products are sold in a market or large covered area. The stalls are often located in the marketplace, e.g. during the farmer’s market or near busy streets. Market stalls are often seasonal and temporary businesses.

9. Discount store
A discount store is a retail store that sells products at prices lower than an actual or supposed full retail price. Some discount stores are similar to department stores because they offer a wide assortment of goods.

10. Grocery store
A grocery store is a store that primarily retails a general range of food products and household supplies. The most common products sold at the grocery store inlcude cold beverages, snacks, processed foods, milk, cheese, and everyday household essentials. This is one of the most common types of retail stores.
Read also: List of 100 Top Selling Grocery Items & Tips

11. Clothes shop
A cloths shop is a dtorewhich sells items of ready-made clothing. There are many types of such stores. Butik to shop which sells expensive or designer clothing. Other popular types of clothing store include a children’s clothing store, a plus size clothing store, and a sportswear store.

12. Shoe store
In a shoe store, shoes, sneakers, boots, sandals and flip-flops are usually sold. They also often sell socks, handbags, wallets and various shoe accessories.

13. Drug store
A drug store, also called pharmacy is a store where medicinal drugs are dispensed and sold. In addition to medicines, there are also various other products sold there which are most often related to health.

14. Bakery store
A bakery store is an establishment that produces and sells flour-based food baked in an oven such as bread, cookies, cakes, pastries, pies and donuts. Another version of the bakery store is the pastry shop. Lots of bakery shops combine a bakery and a cafe.

15. Coffee shop
A coffee store is an establishment that sells coffee, food items as well as often various coffee and tea accessories such as coffee beans, mugs or thermos flasks.

16. Home appliances & household goods store
Such stores sell various home essentials such as vacuum cleaners, washing machines, dishwashers, microwaves and mixers.

17. Thrift store
A thrift store, also called consignment shop is a retail store that sells used clothes. These clothes are much cheaper than new ones, which attracts many fans of thrift shops. Apart from clothes, you can often buy various accessories, such as backpacks and handbags.

18. Gift shop
A gift shop is a shop that sells small items souvenirs suitable to be given as presents. Examples of items sold in gift shops are gift cards, party accessories, mugs, board games, home decor items and much more.

Read more: Best Things to Sell in a Gift Shop – 30 TOP Selling Items

19. Pet store
A pet store is a store where you can buy essential items accessories and food for pets. Many pet stores also sell pets such as fish, hamsters and parrots.

20. Souvenir shop
A souvenir shop is a store that sells things that are meant to be a reminder of a place one visits. Such shops often sell souvenirs such as fridge magnets, postcards, regional products and regional delicacies.

21. Antique shop
An antique store sells various old items that are usable or have collector value or can be used as ornaments. Examples of such products are old clocks, old furniture, old decorations, instruments and old pottery.

22. Home decor store
A home decor store is a store that sells various decorations and decorative useful transformations for the home. Examples of such items are pillows, tablecloths, scented candles, lamps, tableware, home perfumes and other decorative items.

23. Jewelry store
The jewelry store sells different types of jewelry, especially rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and also watches, cufflinks and brooches.

24. Bookstore
A bookstore is a store that sells books. Apart from books, board games, journals and notebooks, albums, maps and bookmarks are also often sold in the bookstore.

25. Greengrocer
A greengrocer is a retail store selling vegetables, fruits, legumes, groats, rice, grains and often other food, snacks and spices.

Read also: TOP 40 Products to Sell in the UK Online

26. Garden store
A garden store is a retail store that sells garden plants, garden furniture, garden tools (such as lawn mowers or shovels) and various other items and accessories that can be useful in the garden.

27. Store with smartphones, computers & electronics
Such stores usually sell smartphones, tablets, laptops, headphones, charging cables, televisions, various electronic gadgets, and often cameras and powerbanks such as this 42,800 mAh solar powerbank (available on Amazon).

28. Cleaning supplies store
Cleaning supplies store is a store that sells different types of house cleaners, clothes cleaners, kitchen cleaners and different cleaning accessories such as gloves.

29. Herbal store
These stores sell products such as medicinal plants and related products like spices, teas, essential oils, flower essences, tinctures and elixirs.

30. Furniture store
Furniture stores primarily sell tables, chairs, beds, desks, dressers, and cupboards

31. Candy store
Such stores usually sell candies, lollipops, jelly beans, chocolates or cotton candy.

32. Toy store
Toy stores primarily sell a variety of popular toys for young and older children. Such stores are often catered to different age categories.

33. Organic food store
The organic food store is a store that sells only healthy, natural food that meets high standards. These foods are often certified organic, and are made without pesticides, unhealthy fertilizers, and GMO-free.

34. Stationery shop
Such stores usually sell writing materials, including cut paper, envelopes, writing implements, continuous form paper, and other office supplies.

35. Florist
A florist is a retail store selling primarily live and cut flowers, as well as various flower accessories such as fertilizers and pots, and various decorations and gifts.

Read also: TOP 20 Best Things to Sell in a Flower Shop

36. Cosmetics & make up store
Such stores usually sell make up, hair care, skin care products as well as make up accessories.

37. Butcher store
Butcher store is a store where raw or semi-prepared  meat, poultry, and sometimes fish products are sold to the general public.

38. Hardware store
This type of store primarily sells tools for technical and construction work and necessary accessories. Examples of products sold in hardware stores include: saws,adhesives, drills, hammers, paints, nails, screws and other most popular items and accessories of this type.

39. Handbags store
Handbage stores usually sell fashionable handbags, as well as accessories such as purses and wallets. Sometimes backpacks and shoes can also be found in them.

40. Shop with video games & gaming consoles
Such stores usually sell video consoles, games and accessories. Some such stores also sell vintage games and consoles.

Other popular types of retail stores:

• Tobacco shop
• Liquor store
• Retail outlet – a store that is owned by a particular company that sells the goods that the company has produced.
• Store with car accessories
• Skate shop
• Beauty & body care products store
• Store with sculptures, paintings and art
• Disabled accessories store
• Vape shop
• Scented candles, soap and perfume shop
• Art supply store
• Preppers shop
• Store with backpacks
• Hunting shop
• Fishing shop
• Music shop
• Car store
• Vegan grocery store
• Regional foods store (Asian, Italian, Turkish, Mexican etc.)

If you want to better understand the different types of stores or you are looking for most profitable store business ideas then be sure to read this article:

Do you know any other important types of retail stores? Share your knowledge with us in the comments below!