commerce de détail
The English term 'retail' can be translated into French as commerce de détail.
The noun commerce de détail refers to the sale of goods directly to the consumer. If you wish to express the action of selling at retail or in small quantities directly to customers, you use the verbal phrase vendre au détail. To refer to the person or business that engages in these activities, use the noun détaillant.
Meaning: sale of goods directly to the consumer (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase commerce de détail, the word détail refers to small quantities or individual items, as opposed to wholesale.
Which one should you use?
While commerce de détail refers to retail, you should use commerce de gros when referring to the direct antonym, wholesale.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the verb vendre (to sell), the prepositional phrase au détail is used to specify that the goods are being sold at retail.
Did you know?
- In French, the opposite of retail is commerce de gros, where gros literally means 'fat' or 'thick'.
- The term détaillant for a retailer shares its DNA with the English word 'tailor', as both stem from the concept of 'cutting' fabric or items.
- The word détail comes from the Old French word detaillier, which literally meant 'to cut off' or 'to cut' a piece from a larger whole.
Examples in context
- Le commerce de détail est un pilier économique majeur en France.Retail is a major economic pillar in France.
- Je cherche un magasin de vêtements.I'm looking for a clothing store.
- Avez-vous ces chaussures en taille 39?Do you have these shoes in size 39?
- Combien coûte cette chemise?How much does this shirt cost?
- Acceptez-vous les cartes de crédit?Do you accept credit cards?
- Je voudrais échanger cette robe.I would like to exchange this dress.
- Où se trouve la caisse?Where is the cash register?
- Le commerce de détail est en pleine mutation.Retail is undergoing a major transformation.
- Elle travaille dans le commerce de détail.She works in retail.
- Les marges sont faibles dans le commerce de détail.Margins are low in retail.
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are discussing their career paths.
- NathanQue veux-tu faire comme travail, Emma ?What do you want to do for work, Emma?
- EmmaJe m'intéresse au commerce de détail.I am interested in retail.
- NathanC'est un secteur très dynamique.It is a very dynamic sector.
- EmmaOui, j'aime le contact avec les clients.Yes, I love the contact with customers.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries commerce, de, détail, CC BY-SA 4.0.
