What does the term 'national' refer to in branding?

The term 'national' in branding refers to a brand that is recognized and available across the entire country, typically featuring products that are distributed widely and marketed to a national audience. This includes a variety of products that belong to different sub-brands under one overarching brand name, emphasizing the brand’s reach and cohesive identity in the market.

In contrast, the other options focus on aspects that do not align with the concept of a national brand. A brand that is limited to specific regions does not have the national presence indicative of a national brand. Similarly, a private label brand typically refers to products sold under a retailer's brand, which might not enjoy the nationwide recognition of national brands. Lastly, a brand restricted to online sales does not inherently relate to its national status; there are many national brands that distribute products online as well as offline. Therefore, the correct answer encapsulates the broader concept of a national brand that encompasses multiple sub-brands, illustrating its extensive market reach and unified branding strategy.