Research Resources

'M' Supermarket Terms

The following term(s) meet your search criteria:

  • machine readable

    A scannable bar code.

  • magnetic stripe reader

    A peripheral hooked to a computer that reads magnetic strips on the back of bankcards and credit cards.

  • mailer

    An ad circular direct mailed to customers.

  • mail-in blanks

    An order form used by retailers to obtain advertising or promotional materials from a manufacturer.

  • mail-in premium

    A point-of-sale promotional offer in which a customer receives a bonus for mailing a coupon or label to a manufacturer.

  • mainframe

    A non-networked, large computer, the predecessor of personal computers.

  • main-line

    A store's primary display area, which has permanent display fixtures.

  • maintenance cost

    An average inventory's storage expense.

  • management information services (MIS)

    A computer system, based on a mainframe or minicomputer, designed to provide managers with current information about a company's performance, e.g., inventory and sales.

  • mandatory recycling

    A requirement by jurisdictions that residents dispose of used plastic, paper and aluminum in separate collection bins or centers in order to reduce the waste that goes to dumps or landfills.

  • manifest

    See loading sheet.

  • manufacturer brand

    A manufacturer's product distributed by more than one wholesaler or retailer in a territory.

  • manufacturer's coupon

    A magazine advertisement or direct mail coupon for a product..

  • manufacturer's representative

    A sales representative responsible for the sales and distribution of manufacturer's products.

  • MAP

    Modified atmosphere packaging.

  • margin

    The difference between the cost and the retail selling price of goods.

  • margin blending

    A combination of higher- and lower-margin products to achieve an overall margin figure.

  • markdown

    A price reduction of merchandise to sell older merchandise or for a specific sale period.

  • market development funds (MDF)

    A manufacturer's money offer to retailers in a market to advertise or introduce their products.

  • market profile

    A marketplace analysis that describes the number and types of customers in a retail area and other retail stores.

  • market research

    A study of product performance or consumer acceptance; a basis for marketing plans and decisions.

  • market, market area

    See trading area.

  • marketing

    The strategy or creating of an image, designed to attract customers to buy specific products or services or shop in particular stores.

  • marketing plan

    A strategy to increase sales and profits on a product or brand, using ads, signs, displays, promotional incentives and certain performance criteria.

  • marketing system

    The path merchandise travels from a producer to a customer.

  • markup

    The percentage of increase in a wholesale price when sold at a retail price. See margin.

  • mass display

    A large display of items, used to create an impression of abundance and value.

  • mass merchandiser

    A general merchandise retailer offering a large quantity of products at low prices.

  • master broker

    A broker supervising other brokers that represent the same manufacturer. See agent.

  • MDF

    Market development funds.

  • meat tonnage

    The total amount of meat that the meat department processes.

  • membership club store

    See club store.

  • merchandise mix

    The selection of products and categories that comprise a basic store set or distribution center layout. Competing brands within a category.

  • merchandiser

    A person who designs a store's layout, selects and prices products and decides which signs to use to maximize sales volume. Also, a movable, free-standing fixture.

  • merchandising

    The creative handling and presentation of products at the point of sale to maximize their sales appeal.

  • merchandising allowance

    A manufacturer's incentive offered to wholesalers and retailers to advertise and display products for a specific period of time. Also known as a Performance Agreement.

  • merchandising calendar

    The annual merchandising schedule of the food industry coordinating seasonal, ethnic and traditional events.

  • merchandising committee

    A retailer/wholesaler management group that selects new products and accepts manufacturer's allowances and special promotions. See advisory board; buying committee; plans committee.

  • merchandising department

    A division of a food store company that procures products and develops retail sales programs.

  • merchandising technique

    An attractive shelf display of products, e.g., hand-stacked; case-packed; tray-packed; lacing.

  • merchant discount

    A processing fee that retailers pay banks for credit card transactions.

  • microbe

    A microorganism that can cause disease. Bacteria, molds and yeast that can grow on various food and equipment surfaces; the main cause of discoloration in meat and food poisoning.

  • micromarketing

    A marketing plan focused on a defined segment of the marketplace, rather than the entire marketplace.

  • microwave oven

    An oven that cooks foods quickly using microwaves.

  • middleman

    An intermediary in the purchase and/or flow of products from producers to customers.

  • mini-club

    A scaled-down wholesale club, which carries about 60 percent of the SKUs offered in a larger store.

  • minimum carload weight requirement

    A minimum weight or quantity needed to qualify for a railcar shipping rate.

  • minimum order requirement

    A minimum quantity, set by a manufacturer or supplier, for a retailer or wholesaler to order at a time to qualify for a certain price or discount.

  • minimum truckload weight requirement

    A minimum weight or quantity required to qualify for a truckload shipping rate.

  • MIS

    Management information services.

  • mis-pick

    An improperly slotted or selected item that results in the wrong item being shipped and/or billed to a retailer by a wholesaler.

  • mis-redemptions

    A cashier's mistake processing a coupon, such as credit for the wrong item, an expired coupon or over/short on the exchange amount.

  • mis-stock

    An item stocked in the wrong place or incorrectly stocked.

  • mix

    See product mix.

  • mix-and-match

    A display of various items to offer a selection for a single price point, e.g., five for $1.

  • mixed car or mixed truck

    A shipment of a variety of products by rail or truck to a specific location that qualifies by weight as a railcar load or truckload.

  • mobile

    A hanging sign that moves with air flow or is powered by electricity.

  • mode of shipment (MOS)

    The means used to ship items, such as a railway or truck line.

  • modem

    Modulator/demodulator; a telephone-like device that transmits and receives data.

  • modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)

    A packaging technique that uses a gas-flushing process to reduce oxygen and maximize a product's shelf life.

  • molding, shelf

    A grooved strip on a facing of a gondola shelf used to attach price tags and shelf-talkers. Also called shelf channel.

  • mom and pop store

    A family-owned food store operated by a husband and wife and/or other family members.

  • Money Gram

    A person-to-person electronic transfer of money

  • MOS

    See mode of shipment.

  • motor room

    A room that houses mechanical and electrical motors that power a store. Also known as the compressor room.

  • movement

    A tracking of a product's sales by units or cases for a certain time.

  • movement allowance

    A case allowance given to a wholesaler for turning products through the warehouse within a specific timeframe.

  • multideck

    A display case/fixture with shelves placed vertically, one above the other.

  • multipack

    A multi-item pack of products with the same UPC.

  • multiple pricing

    A pricing policy based on the theory that pricing of two or more units for a single price (e.g., 3/$.99) encourages multiple purchases.

  • multiple-unit sales

    Selling in lots of more than one.

  • multipoint private network

    A networking system that links the computer systems of a number of stores on a single leased line. Also called multidrop private network. See frame relay network.

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