Which of the following is NOT a type of competitor?

A related competitor is not commonly recognized as a distinct type of competitor in the standard competitive analysis framework. In retail and business strategy discussions, competitors are generally categorized into direct, indirect, and replacement competitors.

Direct competitors are those businesses that offer the same products or services and target the same customer base. This direct rivalry requires companies to differentiate their offerings or compete on price and customer service.

Indirect competitors supply different products or services that fulfill similar needs or solve comparable problems for consumers. Understanding indirect competitors allows businesses to identify alternative options available to customers, which can influence purchasing decisions.

Replacement competitors refer to alternatives that consumers may choose instead of the product or service offered by a business. This could include innovations or new solutions that change consumer behavior.

Since the term "related competitor" is less conventional and may not denote a specific competitive category in the same way the others do, it rightly identifies that choice as not representative of established categories in competitive analysis.