Understanding 小売 (こうり)
小売 refers to the business of selling goods directly to consumers, as opposed to wholesale (卸売). It is a common term in business and economics, especially when discussing pricing, distribution, and market structure.
Usage and Context
You will often see 小売 used in compound words like 小売店 (retail store) or 小売価格 (retail price). It is a formal term typically used in business contexts rather than casual conversation.
Common Collocations
- 小売店: retail store, a place where goods are sold directly to customers.
- 小売価格: retail price, the price consumers pay.
- 小売業: retail business or industry.
Tips for Learners
Be careful not to confuse 小売 with 卸売 (おろしうり), which means wholesale. Wholesale refers to selling goods in large quantities to retailers or other businesses, not directly to consumers. When discussing prices, 小売価格 is always higher than 卸売価格 because it includes the retailer's margin.
Using 小売 correctly will help you understand and talk about business, shopping, and economics more precisely.