Retail
'riːteɪl
Definitions
3 meaningsThe activity of selling goods to the public in stores or online.
'riːteɪl
The sale of goods to the public in relatively small quantities for use or consumption rather than for resale.
The retail industry is adapting to changing consumer habits.
💡 Simply: Imagine going to a store to buy a shirt. That store is in the retail business – they sell things directly to you, the customer. It's like buying a single slice of pizza, not the whole pie.
👶 For kids: Selling things to people in small amounts, like when you buy toys at a toy store.
More Examples
The company focuses on both retail and wholesale sales.
How It's Used
"The retail sector is experiencing a shift towards online sales."
"Retail prices are often influenced by wholesale costs."
To sell goods directly to consumers.
'riːteɪl
To sell goods to the public.
The shop retails designer clothing.
💡 Simply: When a store *retails* something, it's like they're offering it for sale to individual people. If you go to a shop and buy something, the shop is retailing it to you.
👶 For kids: When a store sells things to people, that's what 'retail' means.
More Examples
Many companies retail their products through online platforms.
How It's Used
"The store retails a wide variety of products."
"They are planning to retail their products online."
Related to the selling of goods directly to customers.
'riːteɪl
Relating to the sale of goods to the public in relatively small quantities.
The retail industry is constantly evolving.
💡 Simply: If something is *retail*, it's meant for selling to regular people, like you and me. It's the opposite of selling in bulk to businesses.
👶 For kids: If something is 'retail,' it's for selling to regular people at the store.
More Examples
The retail sector has seen significant growth this year.
How It's Used
"The retail price of the item is $20."
"Retail stores are often located in shopping malls."
Synonyms & Antonyms
From Old French *retaillier* ('to cut off, to trim'), from *re-* ('again') + *taillier* ('to cut'). Originally referred to the cutting of goods into smaller pieces for sale.
Historically, the word 'retail' described cutting a product again, such as cutting a piece of cloth into smaller pieces for sale.
Memory tip
Think of 're-tail'oring the goods to individual needs.
Word Origin
"to cut off, to trim"