merchandising

American  

[mur-chuhn-dahy-zing] / ˈmɜr tʃənˌdaɪ zɪŋ /

noun

1. the planning and promotion of sales by presenting a product to the right market at the proper time, by carrying out organized, skillful advertising, using attractive displays, etc.

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merchandising British  

/ ˈmɜːtʃənˌdaɪzɪŋ /

noun

1. the selection and display of goods in a retail outlet

2. commercial goods, esp ones issued to exploit the popularity of a pop group, sporting event, etc

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Etymology

Origin of merchandising

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at merchandise, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

As the company grew, the Fishers hired professional managers, but Doris stayed involved in the merchandising in an unofficial capacity.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

Food-inspired fashion has filtered down from luxury designers like Dolce & Gabbana which embraced it late last decade, says Lorynn Divita, an associate professor of apparel design and merchandising at Baylor University in Texas.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

"The movie has strong ancillary business, merchandising, and theme park potential, and it's going to be very profitable."

From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026

“We know consumers are increasingly prioritizing healthier lifestyles, and we’re moving quickly to evolve our offerings to meet their needs,” said Cara Sylvester, Target’s chief merchandising officer, in the release.

From Salon • Mar. 5, 2026

“Most fields of human merchandising value nationwide brand identities,” he said.

From "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman

Related Words

• commerce
• deal
• dealings
• exchange
• industry
• manufacturing
• market
• sales
• selling
• trade
• traffic
• transaction