Does anybody know where there is an actual definition of what is a "national multiple", a "chain store", an "independent" or any of the many similar terms that are often used in retail planning? We're trying to put together some data about the types of shops in various settlements in our borough, and can't find a standard definition anywhere. The nearest I can find is a footnote in a clone town report by the New Economics Foundation that says a multiple comprises 10 or more stores, but gives no source or derivation. How would you classify a company that operates 4 restaurants under the same brand name, but all located within about 10 miles of each other. Is that a chain or a local independent? And what about a pub owned by a pubco? Does it count as a national multiple as it's part of a group of 6,000 or so, or does it count as independent because it has a unique licensee?
