Research Resources

'E' Supermarket Terms

The following term(s) meet your search criteria:

  • EAN

    European article number.

  • early bird allowance

    A manufacturer's incentive offered to retailers who order seasonal or promotional items before the season or event begins.

  • earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT)

    A performance indicator.

  • EAS

    Electronic article surveillance.

  • EBIT

    Earnings before interest and taxes.

  • EBT

    Electronic benefits transfer.

  • economy store

    A no-frills food store that features a limited selection of low-priced merchandise. High-volume sales and lower operating costs offset a smaller profit margin.

  • ECR

    Efficient consumer response.

  • EDI

    Electronic data interchange.

  • EDLC

    Everyday low cost.

  • EDLP

    Everyday low pricing.

  • EDP

    Electronic data processing.

  • EEOC

    Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

  • efficient assortment

    An ECR method to maximize store volume and gross margins. Its key drivers are category and space allocation targeted by store, quicker adjustments of product in response to changes in customer purchases, identification and emphasis on higher volume/margin items, and improved pricing strategies to increase return on investment.

  • Efficient Consumer Response (ECR)

    A collaborative industry strategy to reduce the costs of goods throughout the system by automatic replenishment shipments to control inventories and better maintain store conditions. Distributors and suppliers work cooperatively with the goal of reducing retail prices and consumer choice of products.

  • efficient product introductions

    An ECR initiative used to accurately time the introduction of new products. that are more directly related to consumer needs.

  • efficient promotion

    An advertising strategy that causes an increase in sales and an improved competitive position for the retailer.

  • efficient replenishment

    A core ECR strategy that integrates data throughout the food distribution system to automatically reorder, transport, and restock products.

  • EFT

    Electronic funds transfer.

  • egg wash

    An egg-based glaze brushed on bakery items to produce a gloss

  • EIS

    Executive information system.

  • electric jack

    A pallet jack, equipped with a battery that operates under its own power to move pallets within a warehouse or store.

  • electronic article surveillance (EAS)

    An electronic loss-prevention system that signals if a product has not been de-activated at a cash register. Used on high-ticket items, such as alcohol and cigarettes.

  • electronic benefits transfer (EBT)

    A system utilizing a debit card for food stamp recipients to use to purchase products in a retail supermarket.

  • electronic cash register (ECR)

    A stand-alone, point-of-sale terminal used by a cashier to check or scan customer's orders.

  • electronic coupon clearing

    Scanning coupons for faster processing and control.

  • electronic data interchange (EDI)

    The use of telecommunications to exchange business information between companies using standard formats.

  • electronic data processing (EDP)

    The use of computer and other peripheral equipment in all areas of the store and headquarters to assemble, calculate and store information. See buying, ordering; accounting and controls; checkout operations; electronic funds transfer system.

  • electronic discounts (clipless coupons)

    A discount price for the future purchase of an item printed on a customer's receipt.

  • electronic funds transfer (EFT)

    The use of telecommunications systems and debit and credit cards to move funds. Paperless system used with credit and debit cards.

  • electronic mail (e-mail)

    An electronic communications system using a computer that enables the user to generate and transmit messages to other locations/addresses via the internet.

  • electronic marketing

    The use of shopper programs to reward frequent customers for their loyalty. Uses a scan card to monitor customer purchases and provide electronic discounts on special products.

  • electronic shelf labels (ESL)

    Liquid crystal display (LCD) shelf tags linked to a backroom computer and POS system that automatically display price changes.

  • electronic shopping

    Digital shopping via the World Wide Web (WWW) on the Internet.

  • electronic signature capture

    A liquid-crystal touch screen that records a signature as a digital image, which reduces paperwork.

  • end aisle display, end cap, end display or ends

    A massive merchandise display at the end of an aisle which is a prime selling location for high margin, impulse items.

  • end of month (EOM)

    An accounting term that designates the last calendar day of a month as the final date for payment of bills.

  • ends

    The last part of whole loaves of meat and cheese in the Deli Department.

  • EOM

    End of month.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

    A U.S. government agency that enforces federal legislation, which prohibits discrimination in the workplace.

  • ESL

    Electronic shelf labels.

  • estimated inventory

    A physical inventory method used to calculate the total cash value of a store's inventory. A product count is multiplied by the retail price. The estimated gross-profit margin is subtracted from that figure to get an estimate of the worth in dollars of items in a store.

  • ethernet

    A local area network (LAN) used to connect computers, in contrast to a network used to connect computers in a larger area, a wide area network (WAN).

  • ethnic foods

    Products that a particular ethnic (racial, national) or cultural group favor, such as Mexican, Chinese or kosher foods.

  • european article number (EAN)

    A European, 13-digit bar code that identifies products and shipping containers, which is compatible with U.S. and Canadian UPCs, although there are differences in format.

  • event merchandising/event marketing

    A store or community wide promotion of targeted products through a series of related activities or using a particular theme.

  • every day low cost (EDLC)

    A manufacturer's pricing strategy in which the cost of goods is consistently low.

  • every day low price (EDLP)

    A retail pricing strategy in which the product prices are kept consistently low. See high-low pricing.

  • exception count

    A physical inventory verification procedure to identify stock conditions outside predetermined limits. These limits generally relate to shelf capacity and back stock, i.e., too much, too little or out-of-stock.

  • executive information system (EIS)

    Computer software used to summarize operational data and prepare executive reports.

  • exotic produce

    Fruits and vegetables not grown in North America and considered exotic, such as, kiwi fruit and ugli fruit.

  • exotic/ethnic sections

    Unique products from all over the world. Special sections may feature Asian, Spanish, Italian and other foods or products.

  • expense

    Overhead costs that include salaries, supplies, advertising, depreciation, and maintenance.

  • expert systems

    Software used to interpret data and highlight key events, enabling a category manager to focus on the most relevant problems.

  • expiration date

    A manufacturer's sell by date stamped on products to indicate shelf life.

  • express lane

    A lane used to check out customers with a limited number of items.

  • extended dating or extended terms

    An accounting term that allows longer than usual payments for products.

  • extenders

    Shelves, tables or baskets used along with permanent fixtures to increase display space in a department.

  • extraordinary items

    All infrequent or unusual financial events, including net operating loss carryforwards to the current period.

  • eye level

    A merchandising strategy to increase sales of a product by placing it at a customer's eye level.

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