Trgovine

Trgovine, in several South Slavic languages, denotes retail outlets where goods and services are sold to end consumers. The singular form trgovina means a shop or store; trgovine is the plural. The term derives from trgovati, meaning to trade, and captures the broad concept of retail commerce.

Trgovine include a spectrum of formats, from small family-run kiosks and street-front shops to large supermarket chains, department stores, and hypermarkets. They can be full-service or specialized, selling groceries, clothing, electronics, or other goods. In many markets, discount stores and online platforms function as modern equivalents, often integrated into a unified retail landscape.

Retail networks perform a central function in modern economies by organizing the distribution of goods from producers to consumers, providing employment, facilitating access to products, and shaping prices and competition. They interact with wholesalers, logistics providers, and financial services. Urban planning and consumer behavior influence the location and design of trgovine, while seasonality and trends affect stock and assortment.

Historically, traditional markets and general stores dominated local retail in many regions. The 20th century brought modernization with larger supermarkets, shopping centers, and global brands. The rise of e-commerce in the 21st century has further transformed the retail sector, blurring the lines between physical trgovine and online storefronts.

Regulation of trgovine varies by country but commonly includes licensing, food safety and labeling requirements, consumer protection, taxation (such as value-added tax or sales tax), and employment law. Competition policy and urban zoning also shape where and how stores operate.