A. I had a vision of wanting to buy companies with niche brands and niche categories.

The long tail presents opportunities for various suppliers to introduce products in the niche category.

But online PC games have remained largely a niche category as more casual players have shied away from the often complicated requirements for setup and play.

Most are classed in the niche category, sold in only a few hundred stores, compared with thousands of stores for mainstream brands.

There exists a wide variety of adult games, though many lack mainstream appeal and represent a niche category.

While many comparison sites stick to popular categories like electronics, others, including several newcomers, are finding opportunities in niche categories.

Meanwhile, pop-up windows and niche categories will not necessarily drive sales for smaller merchants, who must compete with the reliability and recognition of bigger retailers.

Its target markets are libraries and direct mailing to enthusiasts in niche categories.

His teacher figured that in a niche category populated by actors with screen names such as "André the Giant," the name "Tiny Ron" would stand out.

"Imported beers fall in the niche category," he said.