retailer

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "retailer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an individual or company that sells products directly to consumers, typically through brick and mortar stores or online stores. For example, "The retailer had a great sale on electronics this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But even that is simple compared with piecing together the accounts of the world's largest home-furnishing retailer.

The Economist

If you're a restaurant or a retailer, you have to work hard to insure that your customers keep coming back.

The Economist

The retailer is also slimming down its huge hypermarkets.

The Guardian - Business

Like-for-like sales in Europe fell 5.5% in the first quarter and the retailer does not expect any improvement in the region's economy this year.

The Guardian - Business

Dave Forsey, chief executive of the UK's largest sports retailer, said: "We have a history of strategic stakes and that may or may not continue".

The Guardian - Business

The UK's biggest, but struggling, retailer has so far chosen to focus on rather marginal activities to bring back its customers – new bakeries, Giraffe restaurants, Hudl computers.

The Guardian - Business

As founder and chief executive, the 47-year-old Bezos has taken his retailer from a Seattle garage to the frontier of publishing.

The Guardian

Other attendees at the event were representatives of retailer Marks & Spencer, which was accused of running its online business in a similar structure to Amazon's, and pharmacy group Alliance Boots, which recently relocated its headquarters to Switzerland.

The Guardian - Business

Which country your shirt came from, or the accuracy of the sizing – such essentials are in the gift of the retailer.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a retailer, ask yourself: if a customer is using your app in-store, are your assistants familiar with the functionality?

The Guardian

Fashion chain AllSaints is on the brink of agreeing a last-minute rescue plan that should save the retailer from collapse.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a company like Walmart or Amazon, use "retailer" to clearly identify their primary function as selling directly to consumers.

Common error

Avoid using "retailer" when referring to businesses that primarily sell goods to other businesses. A "wholesaler" sells in bulk to retailers, while a "retailer" sells directly to the consumer.

Linguistic Context

The word "retailer" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a person or company engaged in the business of selling goods directly to consumers. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where "retailer" often appears as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "retailer" is a common and grammatically sound noun used to describe businesses that sell goods or services directly to consumers. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in "News & Media" and "Formal & Business" contexts. When using the word, it's important to distinguish it from related terms like "wholesaler" or "distributor", and to select synonyms such as "seller" or "merchant" depending on the specific context. In essence, using "retailer" clearly identifies a business's role in the supply chain as the final point of sale to the public.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seller

Emphasizes the act of selling, but doesn't necessarily imply a retail operation.

store owner

Focuses on the ownership aspect of a retail business, rather than the act of retailing itself.

shopkeeper

Implies a smaller, more traditional retail establishment.

vendor

Highlights the act of offering something for sale, not necessarily in a retail context.

merchant

A more formal or historical term for someone engaged in trade.

outlet

Refers to a specific location where goods are sold, often at discounted prices.

distributor

Highlights the role of supplying goods to retailers, rather than selling directly to consumers.

supplier

Focuses on providing goods or services to businesses, which may or may not be retailers.

business

A general term for any commercial activity, including retail.

establishment

A broader term indicating a place of business, which can encompass various types of commercial entities.

FAQs

How is the term "retailer" used in a sentence?

The word "retailer" typically functions as a noun. For instance, "The "retailer" is offering a discount" or "She works as a buyer for a large "retailer"".

What are some synonyms for "retailer"?

Alternatives to "retailer" include "seller", "vendor", "merchant", "shopkeeper", and "store owner", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between a "retailer" and a "distributor"?

A "retailer" sells goods directly to consumers, whereas a "distributor" supplies goods to retailers or other businesses. The "distributor" acts as a middleman in the supply chain, not the final point of sale.

When is it appropriate to use the term "retailer"?

Use the term "retailer" when referring to a business or individual that sells products or services directly to end consumers, whether through a physical store, online platform, or other means.