retailer
gb/ɹˈitˌeɪlɚ/ us/ɹˈitˌeɪlɚ/
B1
English
~ 6200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Business selling goods to consumers
A business that sells products directly to people who use them, not to other businesses.
Usage pattern:
[a retailer] sells [products] to [consumers]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *retail* instead of *retailer*, saying things like *Many retails sell this product*. *Retail* is usually a noun or adjective for the type of trade, while *retailer* is the business that sells goods. Another common error is to use *retailer* for the customer, e.g. *The retailer bought a TV*, when the correct word is *customer* or *shopper*.
Synonyms
store (Often refers to the physical place; 'retailer' is more about the business as a company, especially in business writing.)
|
chain (Usually means a large group of stores under one brand; a type of retailer, not any retailer.)
Antonyms
wholesaler (A wholesaler sells goods to retailers or other businesses, not directly to the general public.)
Collocations
major retailer
|online retailer
|large retailer
|retailer discounts
|retailer margins
|retailer network
Themes
business
|commerce
|shopping
|finance
Examples
- The online retailer offers free shipping on all orders over fifty dollars.
- Many major retailers are investing heavily in their e-commerce platforms.
- The new supermarket chain quickly became the largest food retailer in the region.
- As a specialty retailer, the company focuses on high-end outdoor equipment.
- Retailers are struggling to compete with international discount retailers.
Learner examples
- The retailer sells clothes in the city center.
- Many retailers now sell both in stores and online.
- The small retailer cannot match the prices of big supermarkets.
- I bought this phone from a local electronics retailer.
- Retailers often lower prices during holiday sales.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Person whose business is retailing
A person who sells products to the public as a business, for example the owner of a shop.
Usage pattern:
[someone] works as a retailer
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse *retailer* with job titles like *sales assistant* or *cashier*. A *retailer* is usually the business owner or the person whose business is selling goods, while a *sales assistant* or *cashier* is usually an employee in the store.
Synonyms
shopkeeper (Usually suggests the owner of a small, often local shop; slightly more informal and more focused on a single physical store.)
|
merchant (More formal or old-fashioned; can imply larger-scale trading, not only directly to final consumers.)
Antonyms
customer (The customer is the person who buys the goods, whereas the retailer is the person selling the goods as a business.)
Collocations
small retailer
|independent retailer
|local retailer
|individual retailer
Themes
business
|jobs
|commerce
|work
Examples
- As a small retailer, she finds it hard to compete with big-box stores.
- Local retailers have complained about rising rent costs on the main street.
- The conference brought together retailers and manufacturers from across the country.
- He has worked as a retailer in the fashion industry for over twenty years.
- Independent retailers fear losing business to large online platforms.
Learner examples
- She is a retailer who owns a shoe shop.
- Many small retailers know their customers by name.
- The retailer talked with suppliers about new products.
- As a retailer, he must watch prices very carefully.
- Retailers often work long hours during the holidays.
Grammar
Dictionary form
retailer
IPA
GB/ɹˈitˌeɪlɚ/
US/ɹˈitˌeɪlɚ/
Syllables & stress
re - tail - er (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (re)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: retailer
- Plural: retailers
Word family
Forms
retailers
noun
Core family
retail
noun B1
Related words
retailing
noun
Negative and opposite forms
wholesale
adjective B1
wholesaler
noun B2
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.