From Merchants to the Modern Consumer Boom: Effects on Towns

The original merchants in the markets were wholesalers and they provided the goods in smaller quantities to the retailers. In fact, the word ‘retail’ means the sale of commodities or goods in small quantities, and is based upon the old English and French root, ‘tailor’ which had the original meaning of ‘to cut [into small pieces]’. Nowadays, goods sold in retail trade are convenience, essential or durable goods. The description of convenience goods is applied to the criteria of price, value and style etc, essentially by function, and durables by reference to their longevity. Convenience goods are used for everyday essentials and necessities, such as food. In the United Kingdom the definition is restricted mainly to foodstuffs, while in the United States it usually includes other items such as liquor and hardware, chemists’ supplies and some services such as dry cleaning. Comparison goods, on the other hand, are usually chosen with a view to price, quality, measure and suitability. Clothing and home decor items would be examples, and are part of a list which normally comprises durables and semi-durables.