Research Resources

'R' Supermarket Terms

The following term(s) meet your search criteria:

  • rack

    A floor or counter display unit with shelves and hooks for merchandise.

  • rack jobber

    A wholesaler or vendor that orders and delivers product and services a non-food department in a food store on a contract basis, e.g., health and beauty care (HBC).

  • railcar

    A railroad car.

  • raincheck

    A chit that stores give customers for sales items that are sold out. It allows the customer to return at a later date and purchase the item at the sale price.

  • random weight

    Perishable, bulk products priced and sold by the pound. Also called variable weight.

  • RBA

    Retailer's Bakery-Deli Association (formerly, Retail Bakers of America).

  • RDA

    Retail display allowance.

  • RDI

    Reference daily intake.

  • reach-in case

    A refrigerated display case with a self-service door used for perishable products.

  • ready-to-eat (RTE)

    A product designed and processed to be consumed at the time of opening the package.

  • rebate

    An advertising allowance or refund that reduces a retail price for a product if a customer mails a proof-of-purchase. See floor stock.

  • rebuyer

    A person in a distributor's organization responsible for routine reorders of product.

  • receivable

    See account receivable.

  • receiver

    An authorized associate of a warehouse or retail store who receives and checks deliveries for condition and an accurate amount. The first handler of the delivery receipt or invoice.

  • receiving

    A door or dock of a warehouse or store designated for receiving merchandise from a supplier. The procedure for physically and legally accepting a shipment of product.

  • receiving clerk

    See receiver.

  • receiving door

    See receiving.

  • receiving log

    The record or listing of products received with appropriate entries.

  • reclaimed goods

    Unsalable product at the time of delivery that is returned to a wholesaler/vendor for reclamation.

  • reclamation center

    A distribution center department that sorts and processes damaged or outdated products, sent by stores, for reimbursements.

  • recondition

    To repair or restore a product's appearance, e.g., trimming, re-crisping, taping on labels or other method.

  • reconstitution program

    A bakery shrink program that makes efficient use of unsold products.

  • redemption

    To cash coupons or return bottles to obtain money or discounts.

  • redemption center

    A manufacturer's clearinghouse for coupon reimbursements.

  • reduced product

    An item reduced in price for quick sale that must be sold by the indicated date or properly discarded.

  • reefer

    A refrigerated trailer used to ship perishable products.

  • reference daily intake (RDI)

    The standardized daily vitamin and mineral intake needed by the average adult diet.

  • refrigerated case liner

    A disposable sheet placed under Vexar, which helps keep a case clean and aids in housekeeping.

  • refund

    A consumer promotion in which the purchase of a product entitles a consumer to a cash refund, a discount or a coupon good for a discount on a next purchase.

  • refund offer

    A manufacturer's promotion that reimburses a customer for all or part of a product's retail price with a proof-of-purchase.

  • regional chain

    A group of retail stores owned and operated by the same company, and located in the same area of the country.

  • register

    A cash register that adds up the sales of goods, holds money, and provides a display of the sales for the customer.

  • register balance

    To verify a cashier's till amount against the register reading.

  • regular stock

    Normal inventory carried to maintain store conditions and sales volume. See authorized stock item; overstock.

  • related item tie-in

    Merchandising compatible products together that are often consumed or used together to encourage the sale of both items, e.g., pie shells and canned fillings, tortilla chips and salsa. See cross-merchandising.

  • related items

    Products consumed or used together, e.g., wine and cheese. See related item tie-in.

  • remodel

    To modify or enlarge a retail store or department, i.e., expansion, new equipment, new sign package.

  • reorder point

    The inventory level established to trigger a buyer's replenishment order.

  • repack

    To use loose items to make up a case of products.

  • repeat

    A customer's repeat purchase of a product.

  • reps

    Manufacturer's representatives, food brokers or vendors selling products on commission.

  • resale price maintenance

    Using a manufacturer's suggested price as the retail price.

  • reserve stock

    Product that is not on display and is instead stored in the cooler, freezer or back room.

  • reset

    To totally remerchandise a category or department according to a planogram.

  • restock

    To fill or replenish a product to the normal stock level.

  • restricted items

    Products restricted from sale in a state or location and sold legally in another state.

  • retail audit system

    A retail computer system that tracks and analyzes store conditions, e.g., pricing, stock levels, out-of-stocks.

  • retail cooperative

    A group of retailers that purchase, warehouse and advertise together to achieve economies of scale.

  • retail display allowance (RDA)

    Monies paid by a manufacturer to have their products on display, usually in a certain location.

  • retail representative

    A manufacturer's marketing employee that provides services to retailers, including promotional deals, ordering, merchandising techniques, etc.

  • retail unit

    The typical product size offered for sale.

  • retail value

    A product's regular retail price.

  • retailer

    A store owner or operator who sells products directly to customers, sets or implements retail policies and procedures and is responsible for store conditions and profitability.

  • retailer-controlled brands

    Brands and/or private label products exclusively sold by a retailer in a market area.

  • retailer-owned wholesale grocer

    See co-op wholesaler.

  • Retailer's Bakery Association (RBA)

    (formerly, Retail Bakers of America) 14239 Park Center Dr. Laurel, MD 20707 (301) 725-2149

  • retailers' service program

    A wholesaler's marketing program designed to assist retailers with economies of scale resembling a chain operation, e.g., advertising, deal promotions, merchandising.

  • retarder

    The equipment into which dough is placed and allowed to thaw or slack out. Conditions must be controlled to 36 degrees to 38 degrees and 80 percent relative humidity.

  • return on assets (ROA)

    A ratio in dollars of a company's net profit in relation to its net worth, calculated by dividing the company's net profit after taxes by its net worth.

  • return on equity

    Earnings divided by net assets.

  • return on inventory investment (ROII)

    A performance index that identifies the number of dollars returned each year for each dollar invested in inventory. Calculated by dividing total gross profit dollars by the cost of the average inventory on hand. It relates profits to the money used to produce profits. Also called return per dollar invested.

  • return on investment (ROI)

    The total gross profit that one dollar, initially invested in inventory as it is depleted, will return during a period of time. Computed by dividing the total Gross Profit generated by the item by the amount of the initial investment in inventory.

  • returns

    Unsold, damaged, or defective merchandise sent to a supplier or distributor for credit or refund.

  • returns (to warehouse)

    An authorization by the warehouse to return merchandise on a certain date indicated.

  • rework

    Perishables: To crisp or trim a product that looks case- worn. Grocery: To re-affix labels. To refine a category or shelf set.

  • re-wraps

    Products that are removed, reconditioned (if salable) and displayed with limited sell- by dates.

  • RF

    Radio frequency.

  • ribbon

    A shelf merchandising technique of arranging size, color, flavor and/or brand vertically on a shelf. See billboard.

  • ring

    Scanning a product or tabulating a retail price on a register system.

  • ring up

    To scan and complete a customer's transaction at the front end.

  • riser

    A shelf that extends above the normal top shelf to give a higher profile.

  • ROA

    Return on assets.

  • Robinson-Patman Act (1936)

    Federal legislation that prohibits discrimination through price discounts, special terms or services, or other means, e.g., false brokerage payments; promotion allowances for certain customers.

  • roccal

    A chlorine-based agent to sanitize sink and food preparation areas.

  • ROI

    Return on investment.

  • ROII

    Return on inventory investment.

  • roller

    A conveyer that moves merchandise cases.

  • rolling stone

    A food store on wheels from which a retailer sells merchandise house-to-house. Usually found in rural areas.

  • roll-out

    A marketing campaign to introduce a new product.

  • rotation

    A shelf-stocking procedure that ensures first-in, first-out by pulling older stock forward and placing newer stock at the back during restocking. See stock rotation.

  • rotation list

    A manufacturer's marketing process of featuring certain products at the same time each year.

  • rotisserie

    A rotating grill with an electrically turned spit that cooks meats.

  • roto (rotogravure)

    A colorful; circular that advertises a retailer's featured sale items, included inside a newspaper or delivered directly to homes.

  • roto ad

    A corporate level ad generated for an entire company and distributed throughout a trade area, e.g., newspaper, home delivery.

  • rotogravure

    See roto.

  • route list

    A daily list of retail stores on a delivery schedule.

  • rows

    See facings.

  • R-T-E

    Ready-to-eat.

Events

More Events

Facts & Figures

» Facts & Figures

Popular Links

Sign Up for the FMI dailyLead

Get a daily briefing on top stories in food retailing, FREE.

© 2013 Food Marketing Institute. All rights reserved.

2345 Crystal Drive, Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22202 | phone: 202-452-8444 | fax: 202-429-4519

Association Web Design and Development by Matrix Group International, Inc. ®