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retail

Meaning in simple English

US /ˈriːteɪl/

retail means: The sale of goods directly to people who will use them, usually in small amounts.

noun

SELLING TO CUSTOMERSB2

The sale of goods directly to people who will use them, usually in small amounts.

  • She works in retail.
  • Retail sales increased before the holidays.
  • He left his office job for a career in retail.

Opposites: wholesale

Common phrases: work in retail, retail sales, retail store, online retail

FULL PRICEC1

The usual full price of something before any discount.

  • I never pay retail for shoes.
  • We bought the sofa well below retail.
  • The watch costs twice what I paid at retail.

How to use it: at/below/above retail (The shop sells these bags below retail.)

Similar words: full price, list price

Common phrases: pay retail, below retail, full retail

adverb

DIRECT TO USERSC1

By selling directly to the people who use the goods, usually in small amounts or at shop prices.

  • We sell retail as well as wholesale.
  • Buying retail usually costs more.
  • The farm now sells its honey retail.

Opposites: wholesale

Common phrases: sell retail, buy retail, sold retail

verb

SELL TO USERSB2

To sell goods directly to the people who will use them, usually in small amounts.

  • The shop retails handmade toys.
  • They retailed the remaining stock online.
  • We buy in bulk and retail to individual customers.

How to use it: retail something to someone (They retail furniture directly to local customers.)

Similar words: sell

Opposites: wholesale

Common phrases: retail something online, retail goods, retail to someone

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