at retail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at retail" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the price or value of an item when sold directly to consumers, as opposed to the cost or wholesale price. Example: "The new phone was priced at $999 at retail, but I was able to get it for $899 with a discount."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The retailers distribute the product in markets at retail selling prices.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

The retailers sell the product in independent markets at retail prices.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

"Retailers use garments that didn't sell at retail as a marketing device," Bernhard says.

Forbes

Let's look at retail.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Priced at €95 at retail.

The Guardian

She's currently looking at retail space nearby.

The New York Times - Magazine

The wines are not sold at retail.

The New York Times - Food

Thirty-five grand's worth at retail.

The Guardian - Business

Games typically sell at retail for $50.

The New York Times

And those pennies at wholesale become dollars at retail.

The New York Times - Magazine

The price of this book at retail is $1 net.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing pricing, use "at retail" to clearly differentiate from wholesale or other pricing levels. For example, "The product sells for $20 at retail."

Common error

Avoid using "at retail" when you mean the price a business pays for a product. Use "wholesale price" or "cost" instead. Incorrect: "The store bought the goods at retail." Correct: "The store bought the goods at the wholesale price."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at retail" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying verbs to indicate where or how a sale occurs. It specifies the context of a transaction, distinguishing it from wholesale or other distribution levels, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at retail" is a very common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to specify the context of a sale directly to consumers. As Ludwig AI indicates, its primary function is to clarify pricing and availability in contrast to wholesale or other levels of distribution. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, scientific publications, and formal business contexts. It's important to use "at retail" correctly to avoid confusion with wholesale pricing, ensuring clarity in your writing. Understanding its usage and appropriate contexts enhances precision in both business and general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for retail sale

Specifies the purpose of the sale, highlighting that the item is intended for retail consumers.

for consumer purchase

Directly states that the item is intended for consumers to buy.

in retail stores

Emphasizes the physical location where the product is sold.

through retail channels

Focuses on the distribution methods used to reach retail customers.

to end consumers

Highlights the target of the sale, which is the final user.

at the retail level

Highlights the stage in the supply chain where retail sales occur.

at point of sale

Focuses on the specific moment and location of the retail transaction.

available commercially

Indicates general market availability, broader than just retail.

on the market

A general term referring to the availability of a product for purchase.

in shops

Simple alternative referring to physical retail locations.

FAQs

What does "at retail" mean?

The phrase "at retail" refers to the price or availability of goods when sold directly to consumers, typically in stores or online.

How can I use "at retail" in a sentence?

You can use "at retail" to specify the price a consumer would pay, as in "The item sells "at retail" for $25" or to describe where a product is sold, such as "You can find it "at retail" stores near you".

What's the difference between wholesale and "at retail"?

Wholesale refers to the price a business pays to acquire goods from a manufacturer or distributor, while "at retail" is the price the consumer pays when buying from a store or online retailer.

Are there alternatives to using "at retail"?

Depending on the context, you might use phrases like "for retail sale", "in retail stores", or "available commercially".