What Is a Retailer?

Retailer: Overview, Types, and Example

By Kristi Waterworth – Updated Dec 4, 2025 at 12:17 PM | Fact-checked by Frank Bass

Key Points

Retailers sell products directly to consumers, differing from wholesalers who sell in bulk.
Non-store retailers, like Amazon, operate online or via direct mail, expanding retail beyond physical stores.
Retailers influence investment strategies, crucial in evaluating REITs and hedging against downturns.

As an investor, you have a lot of different options when it comes to businesses to invest in. You can choose manufacturers, real estate companies, and yes, even retailers. Although you probably can think of some retailers off the top of your head, there's a lot more to retail than what most people imagine. Read to get the full picture.

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Two women working at a clothing retailer — Image source: Getty Images.

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About the Author

Kristi Waterworth has been a contributing real estate and financial expert at The Motley Fool, covering real estate, investing, and personal finance topics, since 2020. Kristi has been interviewed by various TV media outlets and podcasts for her real estate investing expertise – from residential real estate to digital real estate and everything in between. Kristi’s journalist career spans over 25 years, and she has written about real estate investing, homeownership, and home construction specifically for the last decade. She was also previously a licensed Realtor and general building contractor before the Great Recession and housing market collapse. She holds a bachelor’s degree in American history from Columbia College in Missouri.

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Kristi Waterworth has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.