merchandise

Everyday

1. Goods that are bought and sold, especially in shops. tree →
2. Things like T-shirts, mugs and toys sold with the name or picture of a band, film, team or game on them; often called «merch». tree →
3. (verb, business) To promote and sell goods, for example by how they are displayed. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, «merchandise» is the official stuff you can buy from a football club, film or band: shirts, scarves, posters. In maths, shops and merchandise appear in money problems (prices, discounts, profit). In business studies, merchandising is how shops arrange products to sell more. Phrases: «official merchandise», «band merch», «merchandise stall».

Examples

• The club sells official merchandise at the stadium. tree →
• My sister bought band merch at the concert. tree →
• The shop's merchandise is on sale this week. tree →
• Film merchandise like toys and lunchboxes makes a lot of money. tree →
• All damaged merchandise must be returned to the store. tree →
• We set up a merchandise stall at the school fair. tree →
• The merchandise costs £8 each, so three items cost £24. tree →
• Shops put popular merchandise at eye level. tree →
• We bought merchandise, loaded a vessel with it, and set forth with a favorable wind. tree →

Note

Uncountable: «a lot of merchandise», not «merchandises». Ends in -ise (both UK and US). Informal: «merch». Related: merchant (a person who sells), commerce. In maths problems, profit = selling price − cost of the merchandise.

In Jewish tradition

Proverbs says wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver, and the capable woman knows her trade is good.

Interpretation. Tradition teaches that wisdom is worth more than wealth. It also praises honest work and trade.

Examples

• She perceiveth that her merchandise is good; her lamp goeth not out by night. (Writings PRO.31.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• Vedan and Javan traded with yarn for thy wares; massive iron, cassia, and calamus, were among thy merchandise. (Prophets EZK.27.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. (Writings PRO.3.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable: «a lot of merchandise», not «merchandises». Ends in -ise (both UK and US). Informal: «merch». Related: merchant (a person who sells), commerce. In maths problems, profit = selling price − cost of the merchandise.