The work approaches the features of collecting and using information in retail commerce, as well as the characteristics of the marketing research in this area of activity. In a successful retail distribution field, the information must move freely and efficiently between the three main parts of commerce (supplier, merchant and consumer). The result is a better communication and a better anticipation of the expectations of all three parts. The entrepreneurs who rely on unsystematic or incomplete research, e.g. intuition, increase the failure possibilities. The information system specific to commerce anticipates the data required by the retail managers, collects, organizes and stores, systematically, relevant data and directs the informational flux towards taking the right decisions. This kind of system implies retail marketing research.

retail, data, research, consumer, profit.