merchandise

USAGE SUMMARY

"merchandise" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to goods and products available for purchase, such as items in a store, or goods that are offered for sale. For example, "The shop was full of lovely merchandise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sports and fashion brand Adidas also made the 2020 pledge after Greenpeace published a report on toxic chemicals in Fifa World Cup merchandise, along with 18 leading brands such as H&M and Zara.

The Guardian

Thirty years later, United's merchandise department would turn in a tidy profit selling T-shirts emblazoned with the words: '66 was a great year for English football.

The Guardian - Sport

The town's Arizona market – a haven for drugs, prostitution, guns and counterfeit merchandise during and after the war - was transformed into a licensed, regulated bazaar.

The Guardian

The T-shirts sell for 1,200 roubles (around £21) each, and while at the shop's launch there were many more Russian TV cameras than actual customers, a few people could be seen snapping up the merchandise.

The Guardian

"Mind the gap" announcements have long been a feature of the capital's travel network since the first Tannoy warnings in 1969, and the phrase has become a staple of tourist merchandise.

The Guardian

I'm presented with signed merchandise from the show and the performer says why don't I wait on a chair; Dad gets his syringe ready to give a vitamin injection.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

…which he has now trademarked for use in a range of merchandise, including "whips, harness and saddlery".

The Guardian - Sport

Coca-Cola delivery trucks have been hijacked and merchandise stolen by demonstrators protesting the 26 September disappearance of 43 teachers-college students.

The Guardian

Most of the merchandise came that way, a storeowner in Qeshm city centre tells me.

The Guardian

2.54pm: A reader has written in pointing out there there is now thousands of pounds worth of Kony 2012 merchandise available of Ebay.

The Guardian

Fast forward 20 years and Public Enemy's revolution has come true, realised not as a Marxist utopia, but as a business model for modern corporate America: moguls such as Jay-Z, P Diddy and Damon Dash own everything from the music to the merchandise, the tour, the clothing range and the drink you buy in the interval.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a range of different products, use "merchandise" as an umbrella term to encompass all items available for sale. It provides a professional and comprehensive overview.

Common error

Avoid using "merchandise" to describe items that are not intended for sale. Using more general terms like "goods" or "items" is more appropriate when referring to personal belongings or non-commercial assets.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "merchandise" is as a noun, referring to goods available for sale. It functions as the subject or object of a sentence, describing items within a commercial context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merchandise" functions primarily as a noun denoting goods available for sale. Its grammatical correctness is consistently verified. With a "Very common" frequency and frequent appearance in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science contexts, it demonstrates broad applicability. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its standard usage and provides numerous real-world examples. When writing, remember to use "merchandise" for commercial contexts, and consider alternatives like "goods for sale" or "products on offer" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

goods for sale

Focuses specifically on items available to purchase, implying a retail context.

items for purchase

Directly indicates that the goods are intended to be bought.

products on offer

Highlights the act of offering items to customers, suitable for marketing contexts.

saleable goods

Highlights the marketability of the items.

stock

Indicates the inventory available in a store or warehouse.

retail goods

Specifies that the items are intended for sale to consumers.

wares

A slightly archaic term for goods, suggesting traditional or handcrafted items.

inventory

A more formal term for the total amount of goods held by a business.

commodities

Refers to basic goods used in commerce, often raw materials or agricultural products.

articles of commerce

Emphasizes the business or trade aspect of the goods.

FAQs

How to use "merchandise" in a sentence?

You can use "merchandise" to refer to goods available for sale, as in "The store offers a wide variety of "goods for sale", including clothing, accessories, and home decor."

What can I say instead of "merchandise"?

Alternatives include "goods for sale", "products on offer", or "wares", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "merchandise" or "merchandises"?

"Merchandise" is typically used as a non-count noun, so the plural form "merchandises" is rare. Use "merchandise" to refer to goods for sale in general.

What's the difference between "merchandise" and "inventory"?

"Merchandise" refers to items available for sale, while "inventory" refers to the total quantity of goods a business holds, whether or not they are currently on display or being sold.