general merchandise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "general merchandise" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a wide variety of goods that are sold in retail settings, often encompassing various categories of products. Example: "The store specializes in general merchandise, offering everything from clothing to household items."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Containerized traffic of general merchandise is rising.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He is general merchandise manager for furnishings.

The New York Times

General merchandise grew by more than 5%.

The Guardian - Business

General merchandise, clothing and electricals fared particularly badly, Tesco said.

The Guardian - Business

Sales in general merchandise and apparel have been particularly sluggish.

The New York Times

Sales in the general merchandise category, were up 3percentt.

The New York Times

General merchandise and department stores employed 3.1 million workers.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Then you have legitimate general-merchandise venders".

The New Yorker

Daiei, the biggest retailer, operates 383 general-merchandise stores.

The Economist

Investors worry whether that the UK is now awash with general-merchandise discount shops.

The Guardian - Business

It began as an abaca-trading and general-merchandise business.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a store's inventory, use "general merchandise" to convey a wide selection of goods that aren't limited to a specific category. For instance, "The store carries a wide variety of general merchandise, including clothing, electronics, and home goods."

Common error

Be specific when possible. While "general merchandise" is useful for broad descriptions, replace it with a more precise term or list of items when detail is needed. For example, instead of saying "The shipment included general merchandise", specify "The shipment included toys, books, and kitchenware."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general merchandise" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as a subject or object within a sentence. It describes a broad category of goods sold in retail, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples which show its use in sales reports, store descriptions and economic analyses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "general merchandise" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a broad category of retail goods. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide applicability. It's frequently found in contexts such as news reports, academic analyses, and business reports, highlighting its use in various professional settings. While versatile, it's essential to use more specific terms when detailed descriptions are necessary. Alternatives include ""assorted goods"" or "diverse product range", depending on the intended emphasis. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse communicative purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assorted goods

Emphasizes the variety of items available, similar to "general merchandise".

varied merchandise

Highlights the diversity of products, similar to the broad scope of "general merchandise".

diverse product range

Focuses on the breadth of products offered, akin to "general merchandise".

mixed goods

Implies a collection of different types of items, comparable to "general merchandise".

miscellaneous items

Suggests a collection of various, often unrelated, products, similar to the scope of "general merchandise".

retail products

Broader term referring to products sold in retail, encompassing "general merchandise".

consumer goods

Refers to goods purchased for consumption, a category that includes "general merchandise".

marketable goods

Focuses on the saleability of the items, similar to the purpose of stocking "general merchandise".

commercial products

Products intended for commercial use or sale, encompassing "general merchandise".

retail offerings

Describes the range of products a retailer provides, including "general merchandise".

FAQs

How can I use "general merchandise" in a sentence?

You can use "general merchandise" to describe a wide range of goods sold in a store. For example, "The retail store specializes in "assorted goods", offering everything from clothing to household items".

What's a good alternative to "general merchandise"?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "varied merchandise", "diverse product range", or "mixed goods" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "general merchandise" singular or plural?

"General merchandise" is typically used as a collective noun, referring to a category of goods rather than individual items. Thus, it's generally treated as singular.

What distinguishes "general merchandise" from specialized retail?

"General merchandise" stores offer a wide array of products across different categories, while specialized retail focuses on a specific type of product, such as electronics or clothing.