retail politics

American  

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. a political strategy or campaign style of meeting and speaking directly to as many voters as possible.

   New Hampshire is a state where retail politics are decisive.

   Not every candidate is good at retail politics.

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retail politics British  

noun

1. informal (functioning as plural) the practice of a politician soliciting in person for votes from the public

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Etymology

Origin of retail politics

First recorded in 1900–05; in the sense of “politics in which votes are for sale”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

retail politics

His all but certain replacement, Andy Burnham, promises more energy and skill at retail politics.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026

With fewer than 1 million residents, D.C.’s small population will enhance direct voter contact and retail politics of the sort always championed by advocates of New Hampshire and Iowa.

From Slate ● May 26, 2026

Manzur’s theory is that, in a state like New Hampshire, famous for the retail politics of its presidential primary, even a relatively small group of volunteers can move the needle.

From Salon ● Dec. 14, 2025

Dispiriting, because all of the disappointments and ugly compromises of retail politics are in full view.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 10, 2024

Even her critics acknowledge that she is a master of retail politics - the door-knocking and handshaking that delivered her to the statehouse in 2005.

From BBC ● Jan. 11, 2024