The main objective of the chambers of commerce and industry associations is to promote and protect the interest and goals of Indian commerce and industry. These associations are non-profit making organisation and its members are institutional members.
Functions:
(i) They act as national guardians of trade, commerce and industry.
(ii) They act as a catalyst in strengthening the internal trade of the country.
(iii) Interact with Government with regard to formulation and implementation of related policies.

(i) Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FlCCI), New Delhi.
(ii) Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM).
(iii) Confederation of Indian Industry (Cll).
(iv) Madras Chamber of Commerce, Chennai.·
(v) Tamil Nadu Traders Associations.

The most common form of large-scale retailers are:
(i) Departmental Stores
(ii) Chain Stores or Multiple Stores
(iii) Super Markets
(iv) Consumer Cooperative stores
(v) Hire purchase and Instalment Traders
(vi) Shopping Malls
(vii) Mail order houses
(viii) Automatic Vending Machines
(ix) Tele-marketing
(x) Online Shopping

The manufacturers or the intermediaries place the advertisement of their products on different media of internet like e-mail, portal and browser. Sometimes, they have their own website. like Flipkart, Amazon, Snapdeal. etc. The customers compare the products of competitors by observing such advertisements and .select the product through internet and make the payment through online or cash on delivery. Because of the absence of middlemen, showroom expenses, etc. products are available at cheaper price in comparison to local market. Customers also get after sales services.

Limited variety:
Multiple shops deal only in limited range of products.
Absence of services:
Customers do not get credit, home delivery and other facilities.
Lack of personal touch:
The owner loses direct personal contact with the customers. The paid staffs do not take personal interest in each and every customer.

(i) The mail-order houses are retail trading houses, which sell their merchandise through mail.
(ii) They receive orders from the public through post. They deliver the articles by post.
(iii) So, mail order business is selling and buying of goods through post.

The important characteristics of Super Market are listed below :
(i) Supermarkets are generally situated at the main shopping centres 
(ii) The goods kept on racks with clearly labelled price and quality tags in such stores.
(iii) The customers move into the store to pick up goods of their requirements, bring them to the cash counter, make payment and take home delivery.
(iv) The goods are sold on cash basis only. No credit facilities are made available.

General Stores sell a wide variety of products under one roof, most commonly found in a local market and residential areas to satisfy the day-to-day needs of the customers residing in nearby localities. They remain open for long hours at convenient, timings and often provide credit facilities to their regular customers.