VocabDictionary

retailing

/ˈriː.teɪ.lɪŋ/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

The business activity of selling goods or services directly to consumers, typically in small quantities, for their personal use rather than for resale.

Example Sentences:
  • The company is shifting its focus from wholesale distribution to direct-to-consumer retailing.
  • She has spent over twenty years in the fashion retailing industry.
2.verb

The present participle of retail; the act of selling goods to the public.

Example Sentences:
  • The local farm is retailing its organic produce at the weekend market.
  • They are currently retailing their handmade jewelry through an online boutique.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “retailing”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Middle English 'retailen' (to cut up, tailor), which comes from the Old French 'retailler'. It combines 're-' (again) and 'tailler' (to cut). Historically, it referred to the practice of selling goods in small quantities or 'pieces' rather than in bulk, effectively 'cutting' a larger supply into smaller portions for the end consumer.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 're-tailing' as 're-telling' the story of a product to the final customer, or simply 're-cutting' a large wholesale bolt of fabric into smaller pieces for sale.

Frequently Asked Questions About “retailing

1. What is the meaning of “retailing” in English?

In English, retailing (noun) is defined as: “The business activity of selling goods or services directly to consumers, typically in small quantities, for their personal use rather than for resale.”.

2. How do you use “retailing” in a sentence?

The company is shifting its focus from wholesale distribution to direct-to-consumer retailing.

3. What are English synonyms of “retailing”?

Common synonyms include:merchandising,vending,selling,commerce

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “retailing”?

Derived from the Middle English 'retailen' (to cut up, tailor), which comes from the Old French 'retailler'. It combines 're-' (again) and 'tailler' (to cut). Historically, it referred to the practice of selling goods in small quantities or 'pieces' rather than in bulk, effectively 'cutting' a larger supply into smaller portions for the end consumer.