Chain store

A supply chain refers to a trading company, which owns several production sites. These are either dependent branches of the trading company or follow a franchise principle with tied, but legally independent store operators. Some retail chains have both forms; here is not obvious at first glance whether it is a branch or to the business of an independent businessman.

In addition, there are also more loosely based voluntary chains, which are connected only by a cooperation agreement and refer, for example, certain products through a central purchasing.

Well-known retailers with store systems, for example, Aldi or Lidl, pure Franchiser Bowl or the Benetton Group. Both work for the branch and after the franchise system, the Rewe Group, Edeka and Obi. Among the best known voluntary chains, for example, include Sport 2000 and Expert.