in retail

USAGE SUMMARY

"in retail" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to activities, jobs, or companies that involve selling goods or services directly to customers. For example, you might say, "After years of working in retail, I decided to pursue a career in marketing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This just in! Retail therapy actually works!

Huffington Post

Working in retail is stressful.

The New York Times

In retail, 40 million people are involved.

The New York Times

In retail politics, he has few peers.

The New York Times

In retail, numbers win.

The New York Times

"I work in retail.

The Guardian

But they were in retail.

The New York Times

"But in retail it's all about execution.

The New York Times

Florals are big news in retail too.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I worked in retail for five years.

The New York Times

Her background is in retail and marketing.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in retail", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to the industry as a whole, a specific business, or an activity related to selling goods or services to consumers.

Common error

Avoid using "in retail" when you actually mean "wholesale" or "distribution". Retail specifically refers to selling directly to end consumers, not to other businesses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in retail" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to specify a context or location. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in retail" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to denote involvement or activity within the retail sector. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business domains. While alternatives like "within the retail sector" or "in the retail industry" exist, "in retail" offers a direct and widely understood way to specify a connection to the business of selling goods or services to consumers. When using the phrase, be sure to consider the specific context to ensure clarity and avoid confusion with related terms like "wholesale" or specific retail locations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within the retail sector

Focuses on the broader industry context rather than direct involvement.

in the retail industry

Emphasizes the industry aspect, useful for discussing trends and analysis.

working in retail

Specifically relates to employment within the retail sector.

involved in retail

Suggests participation or engagement, not necessarily direct selling.

pertaining to retail

More formal, indicating relevance or connection to retail activities.

concerning retail

Similar to 'pertaining to', but slightly less formal.

related to retail

A general connection to retail, without specifying the nature of the relationship.

for retail purposes

Highlights the intended use of something within a retail context.

on the retail side

Indicates one aspect or department of a larger operation.

at the retail level

Focuses on the point of sale or customer interaction.

FAQs

How is "in retail" used in a sentence?

The phrase "in retail" typically indicates involvement or operation within the retail sector. For instance, you might say, "She has worked "working in retail" for over 10 years" or "There's a lot of money "money in retail".

What are some alternatives to using "in retail"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "within the retail sector", "in the retail industry", or "related to retail" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "on retail" instead of "in retail"?

No, the correct preposition to use is "in". Saying "on retail" is grammatically incorrect and not standard English usage. You should always use "in retail".

What's the difference between "in retail" and "at a retail store"?

"In retail" refers to the broader industry or sector, while "at a retail store" specifies a particular location or establishment. For example, "The company operates in retail" refers to the business model, whereas "I bought it "at a retail store"" indicates the point of purchase.