Blue Nile adopted a virtual model, in which it provides a shop window for suppliers yet does not put any of its own capital at risk.

ECONOMIST: Gentlemen prefer buying diamonds online

Since there are real rewards at stake, this free-to-play model has to operate without a cash shop or in-game purchases, as they would put the title at risk of falling under online gambling laws.

FORBES: Free-to-Play And Real Life Reward Models

Apart from an idle man halfheartedly flipping through a book of local attractions, there was no one in the front of the shop, where miniature carved boats and model fish aged unwanted on the shelves.

NEWYORKER: Alone

Picking a model that subsequently spends an inordinate of time in the repair shop can quickly siphon away any savings realized from buying a used car in the first place.

FORBES: The Most-Reliable Used Cars

The shots appear to be taken in a phone unlocking shop somewhere in China, with this GT-i9502 model apparently bound for carrier China Unicom.

ENGADGET

The Jordanian woman who created the digital fashion shop, met with her mentor in California and worked with her to refine her business model.

FORBES: Making a difference through mentorship

Yet Britain's deregulated energy market, in which consumers are free to shop around among a variety of energy providers, is held up by many as a model.

ECONOMIST: A liberalised market is put to the test

"I won't put money in an IPO unless I am convinced that the company has a really strong and sustainable business model, " said Mr. Chavan, 67 years old, who runs an office-equipment shop.

WSJ: Stock Investors in India Bypass IPOs

He has five Model Ts (from racecars to a truck), tours the union in the cars, spends hours in his shop, and checks eBay daily looking for parts.

FORBES: Falling Prey to Model T Addiction