retail

[ree-teyl for 1–4, 6; ri-teyl for 5] /ˈri teɪl for 1–4, 6; rɪˈteɪl for 5/
noun
1.
the sale of goods to ultimate consumers, usually in small quantities (opposed to wholesale).
adjective
2.
pertaining to, connected with, or engaged in sale at retail:
the retail price.
adverb
3.
in a retail quantity or at a retail price.
verb (used with object)
4.
to sell at retail; sell directly to the consumer.
5.
to relate or repeat in detail to others:
to retail scandal.
verb (used without object)
6.
to be sold at retail:
It retails at 50 cents.
Origin
1375-1425; (noun) late Middle English < Anglo-French: a cutting, derivative of retailler to cut, equivalent to re- re- + tailler to cut (see tail2); (v.) Middle English retailen < Old French retailler
Related forms
retailer, noun
nonretail, adjective
nonretailer, noun
Examples from the web for retailers
  • Many retailers take away old appliances when delivering new ones, with the cost being built into the purchase price.
  • retailers need to adjust their prices quickly when the wholesale charge increases.
  • He has found retailers who will buy all the carp he can catch.
  • retailers typically give pasteurized milk an expiration date of four to six days.
  • It's one of the largest book retailers in the country.
  • Big-box retailers are poised to take advantage of a richer part of the value chain.
  • To make a new currency popular among users, you have to sign up retailers.
  • To make it popular among retailers, you have to sign up users.
  • The implications for advertisers and retailers, while not necessarily novel, are plenty.
  • Holiday shopping has a strange effect on retailers and buyers.
British Dictionary definitions for retailers

retail

/ˈriːteɪl/
noun
1.
the sale of goods individually or in small quantities to consumers Compare wholesale (sense 1)
adjective
2.
of, relating to, or engaged in such selling: retail prices
adverb
3.
in small amounts or at a retail price
verb
4.
to sell or be sold in small quantities to consumers
5.
(transitive) (rɪˈteɪl). to relate (gossip, scandal, etc) in detail, esp persistently
Derived Forms
retailer, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Old French retaillier to cut off, from re- + taillier to cut; see tailor
Word Origin and History for retailers

retail

v.

mid-14c. "sell in small quantities or parcels," from Old French retaillier "cut back, cut off, pare, clip, reduce, circumcise," from re- "back" (see re-) + taillier "to cut, trim" (see tailor (n.)). Sometimes also "to deal out (information, etc.) in small quantities; hand down by report; recount, tell over again" (1590s). Related: Retailed; retailing.

n.

early 15c., "sale of commodities in small quantities or parcels or at second hand" (opposed to wholesale), from Old French retail "piece cut off, shred, scrap, paring" (Modern French retaille), from retaillier (see retail (v.)). The notion of the English word is "a selling by the piece." This sense is not in French, however, and comes perhaps from cognate Italian ritaglio, which does have that sense. As an adjective, "of or pertaining to sale at retail," c.1600.

retailers in Culture

retail definition


A term describing businesses that sell goods directly to individuals. (Compare wholesale.)