Synopsis Retail business is one of the sectors of commerce which enables to the consumers to buy the consumable articles of their choice in the country at the reasonable rate. Retailing is not a new concept but since times immemorial vis from the ancient times, trade flourished simple because some has a surplus of good and desired goods they did not have or could not produce.

The earliest traders were Cretans who sailed the Mediterranean and carried on trade with the people of the area. Thy flourished for 2000 years and their culture influenced other great trading civilizations. Later the Phoenicians, the Romans established a sophisticated form of retailing. Numerous small shops were set up with centres. In fact ancient ruins indicate that the world’s first departmental store was in Rome. With the fall of the empire the retailing disintegrated.

The book compiles useful research articles on retail industry in India and created awareness among the consumers the types, country, price tag, brand names, availability in the country. All these articles are very informative and can be further used to supplement other piece of information in the study.