retail etymology

Etymology:

The word "retail" comes from the Old French word "retaillier," meaning "to divide or cut up." This term originates from the Latin word "retaliare," which means "to cut up or divide into pieces."

Meaning and Origin:

In its original sense, "retail" referred to the practice of selling goods in small quantities, as opposed to wholesale. It implied that the goods were being divided or cut up into smaller portions for individual purchase.

Over time, the term "retail" expanded to encompass all forms of selling goods directly to consumers for personal use. This includes the sale of a wide range of products through various channels, such as brick-and-mortar stores, online retailers, and catalog merchants.

Distinction from Wholesale:

Wholesale refers to the sale of goods in bulk quantities to businesses or institutions for resale or further processing. Retail, on the other hand, involves the direct sale of goods to individual consumers for their own use.

Examples:

  • A grocery store that sells groceries in small quantities to individual shoppers is a retail business.
  • A warehouse that sells bulk items to businesses for resale is a wholesale business.
  • An online retailer that sells books directly to consumers through their website is a retail business.

retail relate terms

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    Etymology The word retailing originates from the Old French word retaillier which m

  • retail

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  • tailor

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  • outlet

    Etymology The word outlet originates from the Middle English word outlete which its

  • shopkeeper

    Etymology The word shopkeeper is derived from the Middle English word shoppekeper wh

  • regatta

    Etymology The word regatta comes from the Venetian language where it is spelled regat

  • emporium

    Etymology Latin emporium market trading place Greek ἐμπόριον emporion

  • dime

    Etymology From the Latin phrase dime mediae notae meaning half of a nota Nota i

  • detail

    Etymology The word detail derives from the Old French term detail which itself origi

  • floor

    Etymology The word floor comes from the Old English word flor which is of uncertain

  • sell

    Etymology The word sell comes from the Middle English word sellen which in turn deri

  • reciprocal

    Etymology The word reciprocal is derived from the Latin word reciprocus which means

  • adversary

    Etymology The word adversary comes from the Latin word adversarius which means opp