# retailer

/ˈɹiˌteɪɫɝ/ (US) · /ɹˈiːteɪlɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/retailer
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

a person or business that sells goods directly to the public. You usually find them in shops or on websites.

For teachers: a person or business entity that sells goods to the ultimate consumer, as opposed to a wholesaler or supplier.

## Examples

- The local retailer offers a discount to students.
- After the holiday season, every major retailer in the city holds a massive clearance sale to clear out old stock.
- The rise of e-commerce has forced the traditional brick-and-mortar retailer to rethink its customer experience and loyalty programs to remain competitive in a digital market.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in business contexts to distinguish between those who sell to the public and those who sell to other businesses.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.