So TriBond's success provides a window on one of the most fad-driven, competitive niches of retailing.

This species is able to survive at higher altitudes and therefore occupies a less competitive niche with fewer tree species able to tolerate the harsher conditions.

"I think its competitive niche is the offer of 100,000-square-foot blocks, since there's not much of that around anymore."

It may help you spot gaps in the market you can exploit or indicate an oversupply in certain areas, leading you to focus on less competitive niches.

But the competitive niche in his personality makes him unexpectedly aggressive on the race course.

Noncorporate workers, who always struggled to survive on Hyperion Grandee, clung on in competitive niches like freelance computer services.

Now Suzuki is trying again, in a far less competitive niche - the small station wagon - that many other car makers have simply abandoned.

Other magazine executives, especially those who head publications that are struggling for visibility in competitive niches, say an award can be a tipping point.

GigaOm reports the launch of the Hi5's game developer portal; if you can't compete on scale, then why not try focusing your energy on one competitive niche?

"It might find an interesting competitive niche," said a guest, Paul Pontallier, the director of Chateau Margaux.