This document discusses different types of retail shops, including one price shops where all goods are sold at the same price, consumer co-operative stores which are owned by consumers to eliminate middlemen and retain profits proportionally, and itinerant retailers who do not have a fixed place of business. It provides characteristics of consumer co-operative stores such as voluntary membership, limited member liability, democratic control, and distributing profits to members. Advantages include bulk purchasing discounts and developing member skills, while limitations include catering primarily to small/medium incomes and low finances.

1. One price shops
• It is a type of retail shop where a large
number and a variety of articles necessary for
our everyday use are traded.
• It is the shop where all goods of different
types are sold at the same price.

2. Consumers Co-Operative Stores
Meaning:
• A consumer co-operative is a retail business
which is owned by the consumers themselves.
Their basic objective is to eliminate
middlemen. The consumers join together and
manage the business and the profit thus
earned is retained among themselves in the
proportion of their contribution.

3. Characteristics:
• It is a voluntary association of persons and is
registered under the Co-operative Societies
Act, which extends certain privileges and
grants certain exemptions to a registered
society.
• The membership of a society running on co-
operative lines is open to all majors (adults).
• Such societies sell for cash and seldom allow
credit facilities.
• The liability of members is limited to the
extent of their contribution.

4. • The accounts are regularly audited by an
auditor appointed by the Registrar of Co-
operative Societies.
• The dividend payable to a shareholder of such
a society cannot exceed 6% p.a.
• The purchases are made in bulk, thus enjoying
economies of large scale purchasing.
• Each member has got one vote regardless of
the number of shares held.
• The profit earned by the society is distributed
among the members and also spent on
general welfare measures

5. Advantages:
• (i) The purchases are made in bulk and hence trade discounts
are available to such societies.
• (ii) The control is democratic and no single group can secure
control over the organization.
• (iii) Less advertisement expenses are incurred.
• (iv) Profits earned are not spent on unproductive investments.
• (v) It makes members feel the sense of belongingness to the
society.
• (vi) It develops the managerial ability amongst members.
• (vii) Members get fresh goods and cheap commodities from the
stores.

6. Limitations:
• (i) It caters to the needs of small and medium
income groups.
• (ii) It suffers from low finances.
• (iii) Management is in the hands of amateurs
as professional managers cannot be hired due
to low funds.
• (iv) There is too much dependence on the
honesty and loyalty of workers.
• (v) There is lack of proper sales promotion
derives by salesman society.

7. Itinerant retailers
• These are retailers who do not have a fixed
decided place of business.
• Same as Mobile Retailers

8. Small scale retail shops
• General stores
• Second hand goods dealer
• Street stalls

9. Large scale retailers
• Departmental Stores
• Multiple shops
• Speciality shops
• Supermarkets
• Superstore
• Shopping Centres
• Factory outlet
• Customer cooperative stores