Retailing
/ˈriːteɪlɪŋ/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo sell goods to consumers in small quantities, as opposed to selling to wholesalers or distributors.
/ˈriːteɪlɪŋ/
The activity of selling goods directly to consumers.
The company is retailing its new line of clothing in major department stores.
💡 Simply: Retailing is like when you go to a store and buy something—that store is 'retailing' things to you! It's how businesses sell stuff directly to people.
👶 For kids: Retailing is when stores sell things to people like you and me!
More Examples
Online platforms have significantly changed the way businesses are retailing goods.
She is an expert in retailing strategies, advising businesses on how to optimize their sales.
How It's Used
"The company is actively retailing its products online and in brick-and-mortar stores."
"The retail sector is a significant contributor to the national economy."
The activity of selling goods or services directly to the end consumer for their own use.
/ˈriːteɪlɪŋ/
The business of selling goods to the public in shops or online.
The retail industry is facing significant challenges due to changing consumer preferences.
💡 Simply: Retailing is like the whole system and job of stores selling things to people, not just one sale.
👶 For kids: Retailing is all the stuff that stores do to sell things to people.
More Examples
Successful retailing involves careful attention to customer service.
The company's focus is on expanding its online retailing operations.
How It's Used
"The rapid growth of online retailing has changed the retail landscape."
"The study analyzed the impact of supply chain disruptions on retailing."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
brick-and-mortar retailing
The traditional form of retailing where goods are sold in physical stores, as opposed to online.
"Brick-and-mortar retailing is still important, even with the rise of e-commerce."
online retailing
The activity of selling goods or services over the internet.
"Online retailing has become increasingly popular in recent years."
From Middle English 'retaylen', from Old French 'retaillier' (to cut again, cut off, trim), from 're-' (again) + 'taillier' (to cut), from Late Latin 'taliare'. The term originally referred to the act of cutting or dividing goods for sale and evolved to encompass the sale of goods directly to consumers.
Historically, the word has been used to describe the activity of selling goods in small quantities, developing from the practice of traders dividing larger quantities into smaller lots for individual consumers.
Memory tip
Think of 're-tail' as selling the 'tail end' of the goods to customers.
Word Origin
"to cut again, cut off, trim"