Retail company

The Retail Club defines a retailer as a company whose core business is to sell consumer goods directly to the end consumer via storefront, catalog, television or online. Chain restaurants, grocers, and convenience stores are included in this definition. The company must own the merchandise it sells and be able to provide a business license confirming their status upon request.

Consumer packaged goods (CPG) company

The Retail Club defines a CPG company as one that sells non-durable goods to other businesses that are consumed by the average consumer.

Consumer services company

The Retail Club defines a consumer services company as one whose core business is providing services to the end consumer. Examples include rental services, ride sharing services, subscription services, streaming services, etc.

Private/investment holding company/venture capital

A private equity investment, financial holding, or venture capital company is one that is the ultimate parent company and has full ownership of the retail brand(s).

The Retail Club does not consider you a “retailer” if:

• Your company has not yet launched, there are no stores or online sales opportunities, you do not have a website, and there is no way to verify your retailer status.
• Your company does not sell merchandise to consumers. Your company manufactures consumer goods that can primarily be purchased through third-party distribution partners (excluding franchisees);
• Your company primarily sells business-to-business or wholesale. While an individual consumer could purchase a product from you directly, most of your customers are businesses. Example: A company that sells point of sales systems primarily sells them to businesses.
• Your company runs a website, provides an ecommerce platform, and/or processes transactions on behalf of a retailer as a third-party. Example: ABC Company runs the website for XYZ Retailer, but its staff is employed by ABC Company. ABC is the vendor and XYZ is the Retailer.
• Your company aggregates and sells/auctions merchandise that is owned by other companies/individuals and/or you provide a service by which retailers’ products are promoted and sold through your website. The messaging on your parent company’s website primarily discusses things such as “solutions,” “services,” “apps,” “partners,” and/or “clients” and gives no indication of, or links to, any subsidiary retail companies.
• Your company’s primary purpose is to develop/produce, manage, promote, or distribute “apps” (mobile applications).