retail

Out-of-town shopping centres, such as this one at Bicester in Oxfordshire, have become very common since the 1970s. The lack of space and high cost of land in city centres forced retail developers to look outside urban areas for locations to develop. Rising car ownership and new road developments have meant that out-of-town sites are now often more accessible and attractive than the centres of cities, especially since car parking tends to be free.

Sale of goods and services to a consumer. The retailer is the last link in the distribution chain. A retailer's purchases are usually made from a wholesaler, who in turn buys from a manufacturer.

The large range of retail outlets include vending machines, street peddlers, specialized shops, department stores, supermarkets, cooperative stores, and online outlets. These are supplemented by auctions, door-to-door selling, telephone selling, and mail order.