A

  • Allocation: The process of distributing products to stores based on demand and sales trends.
  • Assortment: The range of products available in a store or department.

B

  • Back Fill: The process of restocking shelves by moving products from storage or reserve stock areas to the sales floor, ensuring shelves remain full for customers.
  • Backstock: Inventory stored in the backroom or warehouse, not yet on the sales floor.
  • Bay: A section of shelving or racking, typically framed between two vertical supports, used to organise and display products efficiently.
  • BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store): A service allowing customers to purchase items online and pick them up at a physical store.
  • Brand Compliance: Ensuring all store displays and signage align with brand guidelines.

C

  • Category Management: The process of grouping and managing similar products to optimise sales and efficiency.
  • Cross-Merchandising: Placing related products from different categories together to encourage additional purchases.

D

  • Display: The arrangement of products to attract customers and enhance sales.
  • Drop-shipping: A fulfilment method where products are shipped directly from the supplier to the customer without being stocked by the retailer.

E

  • Endcap: A product display at the end of an aisle designed to catch customer attention.
  • ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival): The expected delivery time of goods to a store or warehouse.

F

  • Facing: The number of identical products placed on a shelf, ensuring visibility and accessibility.
  • FIFO (First In, First Out): An inventory method where older stock is sold before newer stock.

G

  • Gondola / Gondola End: A freestanding shelving unit commonly used in retail stores to display products. The Gondola End refers to the display space at the end of an aisle, often used for promotional or high-visibility items.
  • Grocery Retail Categories – The different sections within a store that group similar products together based on type and usage. Common categories include Fresh/Chilled Frozen, Bakery, Meat & Poultry, BWS (Beers, Wines and Spirits), Household, Health & Beauty, Homewares and Clothing. These categories help organise products for easy navigation and efficient stock management.
  • Gross Margin: The difference between sales revenue and the cost of goods sold, expressed as a percentage.

H

  • Heavy Duty Racking – A strong and durable shelving system designed to hold large, heavy stock in store or in warehouses and backroom storage areas.
  • High-Traffic Area: Sections of a store that receive the most customer footfall, ideal for promotional displays.
  • Hot Spot: A designated area in a store known for attracting customer interest.

I

  • Inventory Turnover: The rate at which inventory is sold and replaced over a period.
  • In-Stock Rate: The percentage of time a product is available for customers to purchase.

J

  • J-Hook: A small display hook attached to shelves for hanging products.
  • Just-in-Time (JIT) Inventory: A system where inventory is restocked just before it is needed to minimise holding costs.

K

  • Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Metrics used to evaluate store performance, such as sales and customer satisfaction.
  • Kiosk: A small stand-alone display or information point within a store.

L

  • Loss Prevention: Strategies to reduce theft and loss of merchandise.
  • Layout: The arrangement of fixtures, aisles, and products in a store.

M

  • Markdown: A price reduction on merchandise to encourage sales.
  • Merchandising: The strategic placement and promotion of products to maximise sales.

N

  • Net Sales: Total sales revenue after returns, discounts, and allowances.
  • Niche Market: A specialised segment of the retail market catering to a specific customer group.

O

  • Out-of-Stock (OOS): When an item is unavailable for purchase due to depleted inventory.
  • Overhead Costs: The ongoing expenses of running a store, such as rent and utilities.
  • Over Stock (or Top Stock): Excess inventory that does not fit on the main shelf and is stored on higher shelves or designated storage areas above regular product displays.

P

  • Planogram: A visual representation of product placement on shelves for optimal sales.
  • POS (Point of Sale): The system where customer transactions are completed.

Q

  • Queue Management: Strategies for managing customer lines at checkout to improve efficiency.
  • Quarterly Sales: Sales performance measured over a three-month period.

R

  • Replenishment: The process of refilling shelves with products from the stockroom or warehouse to maintain product availability and meet customer demand.
  • Retail Audit: An evaluation of a store’s operations, compliance, and merchandising effectiveness.
  • Retail Support: Services that assist retail operations, including merchandising, stock management, promotional setup, and other tasks that ensure stores run efficiently.

S

  • Shelf Edge Label: A label attached to the front edge of a shelf displaying key product information, including price, barcode, and sometimes promotional details.
  • Shrinkage: The loss of inventory due to theft, damage, or errors.
  • SKU (Stock Keeping Unit): A unique identifier for each product in inventory.

T

  • Tagging: The process of labelling merchandise with price and product information.
  • Ticket Strip: A strip, usually made of plastic or paper, that holds pricing, promotional information, or product details on store shelves to help customers identify items and their costs.
  • Turnover Rate: The speed at which employees or inventory are replaced.

U

  • UPC (Universal Product Code): A barcode used for tracking products in retail.
  • Upselling: Encouraging customers to purchase a higher-end product or add-ons.

V

  • Visual Merchandising: The design and arrangement of store displays to attract and engage customers.
  • Vendor: A supplier of goods for retail stores.

W

  • Warehouse: A storage facility for inventory before distribution to stores.
  • Wholesale: The sale of goods in bulk to retailers rather than individual consumers.

Y

  • Year-over-Year (YoY) Growth: A performance comparison between the same period in different years.
  • Yield Management: Pricing strategies used to maximise revenue based on demand.