Research Resources

'T' Supermarket Terms

The following term(s) meet your search criteria:

  • TA

    Trading area.

  • TAB

    Tabulation. Usually refers to research data.

  • table allowance

    A manufacturer 's allowance to a retailer to display or highlight a product on supplemental tables, such as bottled catsup. Also called a Table Display Allowance (TDA).

  • table display

    A type of supplemental display used to highlight seasonal or featured products, placed in a store's aisles to increase display space.

  • tabloid

    A small format newspaper that reports the news in a condensed form.

  • tag

    A message delivered live by an announcer at the end of a TV or radio commercial, usually to mention local stores that sell an advertised item.

  • tagging

    A price or informational sign that highlights an item.

  • take

    A retail store's daily receipts, e.g., cash, checks, credit cards.

  • tape

    A register receipt given to a customer detailing the transaction, products, retail prices, coupons and payment.

  • tare

    The weight of the packaging subtracted from the weight of the product, so the customer doesn't pay for the container. The allowance for perishable shrinkage between the weight marked on the item when packed and the actual weight when sold.

  • tear-off pad

    Printed promotional materials that are bound into a pad and displayed next to a product or at the checkout.

  • tear-strip

    A tape inserted into a package or case for easy opening.

  • tegiquat

    A anti-germicidal cleaner that kills bacteria, cleans and deodorizes.

  • telemarketing

    Marketing by telephone to solicit customers in order to sell goods and services.

  • telephone sales rep

    A salesperson at a wholesale operation who takes telephone orders for merchandise and also contacts customers to alert them to upcoming promotions, new items and other services. Sometimes called an inside sales rep.

  • telxon

    A combination of a portable electronic terminal and a wand. The wand reads the shelf ticket and identifies the product. Each pass of the wand (left to right) orders one case. If more than 3 cases are needed, a pass (right to left) is made and the quantity is punched into a terminal, which records orders electronically.

  • temporarily out (TO)

    A manufacturer's identifier on an invoice when a product is out-of-stock, not delivered and not billed. The retailer needs to re-order the product on the next order.

  • temporary allowance

    A manufacturer's price reduction to increase sales volume of a product for a specific time period.

  • temporary price reduction (TPR)

    A short-term price reduction to increase sales of a product for a specific time period.

  • terg-o-cide

    A degreaser used to clean equipment.

  • terminal

    A computer or cash register display.

  • test market

    A market area representative of the average national demographics and buying patterns, which is chosen to test new products, promotions and to forecast sales. See trading area.

  • test store

    A retail store used to test a product to determine buying and merchandising practices. See pilot store, storewide promotion.

  • third party

    An independent organization that offers a service that links a supplier and a distributor in some way. The term can apply to providers of EDI, warehousing or logistics services.

  • third party reconciliation

    A process of balancing insurance claims paid versus claims due from a third-party company.

  • throughput

    The products received, stored and shipped by a distribution center.

  • ticket price (ticket)

    A product's retail price.

  • tie and high

    The width and height of freight on pallets and warehouse storage racks. Tie refers to the number of dimensions of each tier (layer) of standard pack product while High means the total physical height of one or more Ties making up the unit load.

  • tie-in ad

    A retailer's advertisements used to meet the promotional requirements of a manufacturer.

  • tie-in items

    See related items.

  • tie-in merchandise

    A multi-product display method in which a high-impulse item is linked to a staple or featured item.

  • tie-in promotion

    A promotion in which two products are displayed together and one item is given away or sold at a lower price with the purchase of the other.

  • tie-in sales

    A retailer's promotion of a product to meet manufacturer requirements during a specified time period.

  • time and attendance systems

    An electronic system used to plan, monitor and report employees' work hours.

  • time and temperature monitoring (TTM) devices

    Label-sized, chemical-filled packets that are attached to shipping cartons and indicate when the cartons have been exposed to fluctuating temperatures.

  • time clock

    An instrument that records the time an associate begins and ends work. The time is usually displayed on a time card or electronic monitor. Used to calculate hourly wages or weekly wages for hours worked.

  • time lag

    The time between the introduction of a new product and its availability in a retail store.

  • timetable

    The delivery schedule and requirements for a new product promotion.

  • TOFC

    Trailer on flat car.

  • toiletries merchandiser

    A health and beauty care (HBC) rack jobber.

  • tonnage items

    Low-gross profit items that have a high turnover rate. See selective selling.

  • tonnage throughput

    The number of tons of merchandise passing through a distribution center per labor hours for all workers in the center.

  • total distribution

    A standardized process where marketing practices are coordinated to eliminate inefficiency and reduce cost.

  • total order lead-time

    See order lead time.

  • total taxes on income

    The federal and state taxes based on net income imposed on supermarket companies.

  • tote

    A plastic container, usually used to ship merchandise such as HBC items.

  • touch screen

    A computer screen with sensors that respond to touch.

  • TPR

    Temporary price reduction.

  • trade

    An industry term for the grocery industry which includes wholesalers, retailers, food brokers, vendors and associations.

  • trade advertising

    A manufacturer's advertisement directed toward the retailers or wholesalers who sell their products.

  • trade advisory board

    Retailers invited to serve on an advisory board by manufacturers to discuss industry-related issues, solve problems, and provide input.

  • trade association

    A nonprofit group that serves the information needs of a particular industry and represents its mutual interests, e.g., education, legislation, media relations.

  • trade deal

    See deal.

  • trade discount

    An off-invoice cash discount from a list or suggested resale price

  • trade letter

    A manufacturer's notice describing a promotion, new products, contests, deals, etc. and the policies and procedures for implementation.

  • trade margin

    See margin.

  • trade name

    A product's brand name.

  • trade promotion

    A special manufacturer's offer made to retailers, such as allowances for advertising and/or merchandising.

  • trading area

    A population center or metropolitan area with similar demographics, buying patterns and expectations. See distributing area.

  • trading stamps

    Stamps given at checkout to encourage customer loyalty. Redeemable for cash or products.

  • traffic

    In retailing: The number of people moving through a retail store or department. In warehousing: The number of product turns.

  • traffic builder

    A product offered below retail price to attract customers.

  • traffic flow

    The shopping pattern designed for a retail store or department.

  • traffic pattern

    The shopping path customers take through a store or department.

  • trailer

    A mail-in incentive attached to a product to increase the sales of a slow-selling product in an otherwise fast-moving category.

  • trailer on flat car (TOFC)

    A truck trailer placed on a railroad flat car for shipping. Also known as a piggyback.

  • trainee

    An employee participating in a company-sponsored training program.

  • transfer credit

    A form used to credit a store for merchandise that is transferred out.

  • transfers

    Products exchanged between retail stores in the same chain.

  • tray

    A container consisting typically of a corrugated or chip board, low walled, open box wrapped with plastic film.

  • tray-pack

    A shipping package designed to be displayed by removing the top.

  • tree display

    A freestanding display unit with a center pole and hooks/shelves that resembles a tree.

  • trend

    A pattern of behavior. Also, trend (movement) of sales.

  • trim platters

    Meat pans, or lugs.

  • trimming

    Removing discolored or damaged leaves or spots to give produce a fresh and uniform appearance.

  • truck farm

    A local farm that provides fruits and vegetables.

  • truckload freight rates

    The lowest transportation charged for shipping a full truckload.

  • truckload order

    An order that can completely fill a dry or refrigerated truck trailer. Also known as a full truck.

  • turn business

    Product replenishment during nonpromotional selling periods with manufacturer's shipping volume closely tracking consumer purchases. See promotional business.

  • turnover (employee)

    The rate at which employees are hired and terminated.

  • turnover (stock turn)

    The number of times the total value of products stored in the distribution center at any one time is sold and replaced each year. Computed by dividing the annual cost of goods sold by average inventory on hand at cost.

  • turnover buying

    The purchasing practice of maintaining a minimum stock of products in order to increase return on capital invested. See speculation.

  • turnover order

    A product order obtained by a broker and given to a wholesaler for shipping to the retailer. Also called a missionary order.

  • turnover, inventory

    The rate at which the investment in inventory is converted to sales. In inventory, the term is sometimes used to mean the dollars in sales generated by each dollar invested in inventory (dollar sales divided by dollar inventories).

  • turnover, retail

    The number of times the total value of products displayed in retail stores is sold and replaced each year. For example, if a store sells $5,000 worth of a product at cost to stores each year and maintains a $500 inventory, turnover is 10.

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