Classifying Business - Geographic Spread

Local:

Small geographic operations

Small number of outlets - limited geographic spread

Small market share; other local competition plus competition from national and international firms

Closely tied to community (employees and owners known in local society)

Supplies bought from other local firms (or further afield as needed).

Eg: Newsagency, butcher, restaurant, corner store

Domestic:

Operating within one nation

Established outlets in a wide range of locations (usually starts in capital cities)

Operates / builds projects in wide range of locations

Less local connections / attachment to community

SME, more employees, more market share, higher revenue levels

More investment required (more risk, and more finance required)

Eg: Retail chain, property developer, asset manager, legal firm 

Global (Transnational Corporation):

Operating in multiple countries (outlets internationally, factories owned in foreign countries, global asset ownership)

Usually have a Corporate Headquarters in a single nation (large ones in US)

National borders no barrier to trade

Thousands of employees

Sourcing inputs globally from thousands of suppliers

Capture large revenue / market share by entering into new markets to capture local sales

Eg: Apple, Coca-Cola, Nike, Citibank, Amazon