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Synonyms

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.

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of merchandising

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Robbie is a college lecturer and Rachel is a merchandising manager - they take home more than the national average household income.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 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

Chief Executive Jim Conroy attributed the performance to customer count growth, improved merchandising, and new marketing campaigns.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

Bycoff, who owns the stock, wants to hear more about Fiddelke’s merchandising strategies—such as more partnerships with brands like Levi’s—that could help the company differentiate itself from competitors.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026

Clearly I am going to have what is known in our commercial terminology as a merchandising problem.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.