List of 76 Channels of consumer product distribution.

Springsteen once wrote, "57 Channels and nothin' on."

I recently found a list from 10+ years ago of 76 distinct market channels.  Some retailers on the list are gone and forgotten, and the channels have ebbed and flowed.  This is the first installment.

1. Airport Gift and other Airport Stores  shall mean gift and other stores located within airports, excluding Duty-Free Store Operators (as defined below).  Examples of Airport Gift and Other Stores include, without limitation, Paradies and W.H. Smith.

2. Amusement Game Redemption shall mean distribution of products as prizes awarded in amusement games.

3. Amusement Park Gift Stores shall mean gift stores located within amusement parks, such as Six Flags, Paramount Parks, Universal Theme Parks, Dollywood, Walt Disney World and Walt Disney Land.

4. Art & Craft Stores shall mean stores that offer for sale primarily art and craft supplies.  Examples of Art & Craft Stores include, without limitation, Aaron Brothers, Fast Frame, Michaels and MJ Designs.

5. Athletic Apparel & Footwear Stores shall mean stores that offer for sale primarily athletic apparel and footwear.  Examples of Athletic Apparel & Footwear Stores include, without limitation, Footlocker, Athlete’s Foot and Champs.

6. Automotive/Carwash Stores shall mean (a) stores that offer for sale primarily automotive supplies, or (b) stores located at carwash or gasoline station premises.

7. Baby Specialty Stores shall mean stores that offer for sale primarily infant apparel, furniture, accessories and other products designed specifically for babies.  Examples of Baby Specialty Stores include, without limitation, Babies R Us.

8. Beauty Supply Stores shall mean stores that offer for sale primarily cosmetics, haircare products, beauty accessories and personal grooming related items.

9. Camera / Photo Specialty Stores shall mean stores that offer for sale primarily camera equipment and supplies.

10. Candy / Confectionery Specialty Stores shall mean stores that offer for sale primarily candy and confectionery products.  Examples of Candy / Confectionery Specialty Stores include, without limitation, FAO Schweetz, and The Sweet Factory.

11. Catalog Showrooms shall mean stores that offer a broad assortment of products for sale primarily through a catalog along with display of samples of products in a showroom.  Examples of Catalog Showrooms include, without limitation, Service Merchandise.

12. Chain Book Stores shall mean chain stores (containing twenty (20) or more individual stores) that offer for sale primarily books.  Examples of Chain Book Stores include, without limitation, B. Dalton, SuperCrown, Walden Books, and Brentano’s.

13. Chain Comic Book Stores shall mean chain stores (containing twenty (20) or more individual stores) that offer for sale primarily comic books.

14. Chain Drug Stores shall mean chain stores (containing twenty (20) or more individual stores) that offer for sale primarily prescription and over-the-counter drugs, personal care products and household products.  Examples of Chain Drug Stores include, without limitation, Walgreens, Rite-Aide, Thrifty/Payless, C.V.S./Revco, Thrift Drug, Phar Mor, Eckerds, and Longs Drugs.

15. Chain Jewelry Stores shall mean chain stores (containing twenty (20) or more individual stores) that offer for sale primarily jewelry.  The “Chain Jewelry Stores” channel shall specifically exclude Guild Jewelers (as defined below).  Examples of Chain Jewelry Stores include, without limitation, Sterling, Barry’s, Lipman’s and Helzburg.

16. Chain Toy Stores shall mean chain stores (containing twenty (20) or more individual stores) that offer for sale primarily toys.  In order to be considered a “Toy Store” hereunder, the total number of toy-type SKU’s (stock-keeping units) must represent eighty percent (80%) or more of such store’s total SKU’s.  Examples of Chain Toy Stores include, without limitation, Toys R Us.

17. Coffee Specialty Stores shall mean stores that offer for sale primarily specialty coffee and related products, such as coffee mugs.  Examples of Coffee Specialty Stores include, without limitation, Starbucks, Buzz Coffee, Gloria Jeans and The Coffee Beanery.

18. College / University Stores shall mean stores located on the campuses of colleges or universities.

19. Commercial Facilities shall mean offering products for sale to architectural firms or interior designers working with commercial facilities, such as hotels and daycare facilities.

20. Computer Specialty Stores shall mean stores that offer for sale primarily computer equipment and supplies.  Examples of Computer Specialty Stores include, without limitation, Comp USA.

21. Convenience Stores shall mean stores that offer for sale primarily packaged and “quick service” food products, are generally open 24 hours a day, and are designed to offer greater convenience than larger Supermarket/Grocery Stores.  Examples of Convenience Stores include, without limitation, 7-11, AM/PM, Dairy Mart and Circle K.

More to follow soon!