retailing
- the business of selling goods directly to consumers (distinguished from wholesaling).
Origin of retailing
retail
- the sale of goods to ultimate consumers, usually in small quantities (opposed to wholesale).
- pertaining to, connected with, or engaged in sale at retail: the retail price.
- in a retail quantity or at a retail price.
- to sell at retail; sell directly to the consumer.
- to relate or repeat in detail to others: to retail scandal.
- to be sold at retail: It retails at 50 cents.
Origin of retail
Examples from the Web for retailing
Contemporary Examples
But even with all of its power and features, it is retailing for a surprisingly low $399.
PlayStation 4 Review: The PS4 and the Gorgeous Next Generation of GamingAlec Kubas-Meyer
November 15, 2013
The J.Crew collection will include clothing and accessories, retailing for $5 to $78, and will be available starting Wednesday.
The Average American Bra Size Is Now 34 DD; Designers Sketch Regal Royal Baby PresentsThe Fashion Beast Team
July 23, 2013
The just-in-time mentality has spread from manufacturing and retailing into other businesses, and into our personal lives.
What happened in the interim is the story of a brand that was good at manufacturing sweaters but terrible at retailing them.
Indeed, Kirkwood's designs are expensive, with most retailing for over $1,000.
Historical Examples
He had no idea, of course, to whom he was retailing his stiff yarns.
The Confessions of a Caricaturist, Vol. 1 (of 2)Harry Furniss
All were too busy listening and retailing stories to think of sleep.
The Wonder Island Boys: The TribesmenRoger Finlay
And then she amused them both by retailing to them the corporal's odd speeches.
Mollie's PrinceRosa Nouchette Carey
Beside him was a new "American bulldog" revolver, retailing for $1.50.
News WritingM. Lyle Spencer
Levin had found a certain pleasure in retailing his information.
The Red RoomAugust Strindberg
retail
- the sale of goods individually or in small quantities to consumersCompare wholesale (def. 1)
- of, relating to, or engaged in such sellingretail prices
- in small amounts or at a retail price
- to sell or be sold in small quantities to consumers
- (rɪˈteɪl) (tr) to relate (gossip, scandal, etc) in detail, esp persistently
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for retailing
n.
mid-14c., verbal noun from retail (v.).
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.
retail
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.