Global trade policies are crucial in shaping international business activities, particularly in retail. This paper presents an extensive literature review of concepts, theories, and frameworks related to global trade policies and their impact on retail businesses. By exploring existing research in the field, concepts, competitiveness, policy impact, and supply chain management, this review aims to comprehensively understand the intricacies surrounding international trade policies. Additionally, it discusses the significance of comprehending these policies in the context of the rapidly expanding retail sector, which spans developed and developing nations. Through an in-depth analysis of existing literature, this review paper seeks to shed light on the policy issues and their implications for retail organisations worldwide. The review paper concludes with a case study to consider with different discussion questions to enrich the reader’s understanding of the given context.