Which of the following best describes the online retailer whose retail website is unavailable due to a system outage?

The most fitting description of the online retailer whose retail website is currently unavailable due to a system outage is that of a primary stakeholder. Primary stakeholders are those individuals or entities that are directly affected by, and have a direct interest in, the operations and performance of a business. In this scenario, the retailer is directly impacted by the outage because it affects their ability to conduct sales, serve customers, and generate revenue.

Understanding the role of primary stakeholders is crucial in risk management, as these entities are typically the ones who bear the consequences of events such as system outages. They are engaged in the day-to-day operations and strategically invested in the success of the organization.

In contrast, asset holders or loss agents might express interest in the operational status but are not as directly impacted as the retailer itself. Secondary stakeholders, such as certain customers or partners, may have an interest in the retailer's performance but their relationship is not as directly tied to the service disruptions the retailer experiences. Thus, characterizing the retailer as a primary stakeholder accurately captures its critical position within the scenario presented.