Retail Means to Cut Up Again
Retail is selling to the public. The French root means to cut into pieces, which is what a retailer does to bulk stock.
Retail is the sale of goods to consumers. The word describes the operation: Old French *retaillier* means to cut up again, and a retailer breaks bulk consignments into pieces small enough for individuals to buy. *Wholesale* is the opposite — selling the whole, unbroken lot to another trader.
- Selling to consumers. *The retail trade.*
- To sell in small quantities. *Retail at £5.*
- To repeat a story. *Retail the gossip.*
- Wholesale — selling in bulk. *A wholesale price.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | retail | Online retail. |
| Verb | retail | It retails for £20. |
| Person | retailer | A high street retailer. |
| Opposite | wholesale | Wholesale supply. |
| Related | tailor | A bespoke tailor. |
How it is used in a sentence
- Retail means to cut up again.Breaking bulk.
- Wholesale means selling the whole lot.To another trader.
- Tailor comes from the same cutting root.French *tailler*.
Retail terms
- Markup — the amount added to cost to reach the selling price
- Margin — profit as a share of the selling price
- Shrinkage — stock lost to theft, damage or error
- Footfall — the number of people entering a shop
- Loss leader — priced below cost to attract customers
From Old French *retaillier*, to cut up again, from *re-* and *taillier*, to cut — the same root as *tailor* and *tally*.
Retail or wholesale?
Retail sells to end consumers in small quantities. Wholesale sells in bulk to other businesses.
Are tailor and retail related?
Yes. Both come from French *tailler*, to cut. A tailor cuts cloth; a retailer cuts up bulk stock.