Which retail model allows customers to interact with multiple options, regardless of whether they are interconnected?

Multichannel retailing refers to a retail model where customers can engage with a retailer through various channels, such as in-store, online, mobile apps, and social media, among others. Each of these channels operates independently, allowing customers to interact with different platforms without necessarily having them interconnected. This means that while customers can shop and browse through multiple options, their experience may vary between channels as they do not share unified data or inventory systems. This model focuses on providing diverse shopping experiences while not necessarily integrating the backend systems that would create a seamless experience across those channels, which distinguishes it from omnichannel retailing.

In contrast, omnichannel retailing emphasizes a seamless integration of various channels, ensuring that the customer experience is consistent and interconnected across all platforms. Single channel retailing involves engaging customers through only one channel, and integrated retailing typically refers to a more cohesive approach similar to that of omnichannel but with a larger focus on backend operations being intertwined. Thus, the essence of multichannel retailing is about offering choices through various distinct channels while maintaining their individual existence.