Vocabulary

Part II

retail common outlet hawker pedlar = pedler = peddler stall = counter large-scale department store cooperative society uppermost stock to buy something on hire purchase = to buy on credit down payment instalment facility convenience balance volume

goods sold and not meant for resale. usual and ordinary. a shop that sells the goods of particular manufacturer or wholesaler. a person who goes from street to street selling goods. a person who goes from house to house selling small articles. an open-fronted shop, used by a trader in a market. of considerable size. a large retail shop where many varieties of goods are sold in different sections. a society formed to buy and sell goods among its members, for mutual benefit. highest. goods kept by a trader. to buy by a contract to pay by instalments, and the right to use it after the first payment. part payment at the time of purchase. one of the payments made over a period of time. aids which make the doing of a thing easier. ease with which something can be done. remainder. amount, quantity.

Explanations

Part III

1. Hire purchase. This is a system of selling by which a customer pays a small down payment for the article he wishes to buy. The balance is payable over a period of months or years. Until full payment is made, the article is considered the property of the seller. He may repossess the article if the customer fails to make full payment for it. Recent British laws make it difficult for the seller to repossess the article if the customer has paid more than one third of the value.

2. Note the difference between the words beside and besides.

The former means at the side of or close to.

She sat beside the old lady. (close to)

May’s home is beside the sea. (at the seaside)

Besides means also and moreover.

I dislike the dress; besides I cannot afford it.

I cannot leave till noon, besides it is raining.

Exercises

1. Answer the following questions.

   1. What is to retail?

   2. What does the success of a retail outlet depend on?

   3. What personal qualities are expected of a retailer?

   4. What should he do to improve his business?

   5. What is uppermost in the minds of the customers?

2. Give the meanings of the following words.

   1. Large-scale. 2. Common. 3. Pedlar. 4. Stock. 5. Uppermost.

3. Give the word that fits the description.

   1. A large retail shop where many varieties of goods are sold in different sections.

   2. An open-fronted shop used by a trader in a market.

   3. Part payment at the time of purchase.

   4. Ease with which something can be done.

   5. Goods sold and not meant for resale.

Discussing retail trade

Part I

Mr Robin. Have you seen John lately?

Mr Smith. Not for several weeks, he must be busy in his shop.

Mr Robin. What sort of a business is he in?

Mr Smith. He deals in hardware.

Mr Robin. What kind of business is that?

Mr Smith. He retails metal goods for home use. They include garden shears,

hammers, pliers, screwdrivers, sickles and hacksaws.

Mr Robin. Can you quote other examples of retail outlets.

Mr Smith. Department stores and supermarkets are two of them.

Mr Robin. In what way do they differ from John’s shop?

Mr Smith. They are larger organisations. They have a greater variety of goods and have more customers.

Mr Robin. Do they enjoy other advantages?

Mr Smith. Yes. As they are financially stronger they advertise and compete

with retailers like John.

Mr Robin. Isn’t that unfair competition?

Mr Smith. No, our government believes in free enterprise and competition

keeps prices down.

Mr Robin. Do retailers like John have a chance to survive competition?

Mr Smith. Yes, of course. There are thousands of prosperous retailers in our

country.

Mr Robin. How does John compete with the larger organisations?

Mr Smith. He gives good service and does not overcharge his customers.

Mr Robin. What factors does the success of a retail shop depend on?

Mr Smith. Two important factors are its location and the quality of its service.

Mr Robin. In what way can the retailer help the business?

Mr Smith. He must be honest and polite.