The following term(s) meet your search criteria:

  • sack

    To bag purchases at the checkout. See bagger.

  • safety cutter

    A case cutter used to open cases of product.

  • safety stock

    A back-stock of products kept to replenish shelves.

  • sales

    The dollar amount of products or services sold.

  • sales analysis

    An analysis of sales by week, month, period or year to project trends, identify problems and measure a retailer's performance.

  • sales area

    An area designated in a retail store to display and merchandise products, provide customer service and check out. It does not include the back room, coolers, (stock area) or maintenance areas.

  • sales log

    A sales record by store and department, which provides sales trends, competitive factors, staffing, weather, holidays, etc.

  • sales per associate hour/sales per labor hour (SPAH/SPLH)

    A productivity measure that quantifies the total dollars of sales for every labor hour used.

  • sales per square foot

    A measure of store and department profitability. Calculated by dividing the daily, weekly or monthly sales by the number of square feet of floor or shelf space.

  • sales projection

    A sales forecast based on sales for the same period last year.

  • sales representative

    A marketing person employed by a manufacturer or wholesaler to represent certain product brands within a given sales area.

  • sales representative's premium

    A premium or prize given to a manufacturer's or wholesaler's marketing person for achieving benchmark sales.

  • sales service

    Fee-based services for retailers provided by a manufacturer's or wholesaler's marketing staff on a fee per service basis, e.g., merchandising the store, advertising, management information services (MIS).

  • sales service representative

    A marketing person who provides services for a fee to a retailer, e.g., merchandising, advertising, or layout.

  • salvage

    Product containers/shippers (bales, pallets, containers) that must be returned or recycled to defray operational costs.

  • sampling

    A marketing program used to prompt impulse buying. Particularly useful in the Deli and Bakery Departments. The customer is encouraged to sample products from a prepared sample tray.

  • sanitize

    The last part of the cleaning procedure of food equipment and surfaces to reduce microbial counts to a safe level within the department.

  • satellite network

    A communications system that utilizes satellites to relay data and information. Also known as Satellite Communications.

  • satellite stores

    Retail stores that are serviced by the same distribution center; or outlying stores in a shopping center.

  • scale

    A machine used to weigh products.

  • scaler

    A special hand tool with ridged teeth for scaling fish.

  • scaling

    The pricing of merchandise on the basis of weight and retail price.

  • scan and bag

    The system or technique whereby a cashier bags purchases while scanning.

  • scan bars

    The standardized coding system (Universal Product Code) that encrypts individual product pricing and identification information within a series of vertical lines.

  • scan down

    Data obtained from a secondary source, e.g., A.C. Nielsen or Information Resources, Inc.

  • scan integrity

    The quality of the inventory and pricing data that ensures that items have been added, deleted and correctly priced.

  • scan ratio

    An inventory correction calculation to adjust for physical inventory differences based on the percentage of items scanned to the total items sold.

  • Scan-based trading

    A new way of doing business between direct store delivery manufacturers and retailers.It incorporates daily point-of-sale data to pay for product, electronic communication technologies to eliminate discrepancies and inefficiencies, and various store-level operating improvements, such as open delivery windows and elimination of check-in, to speed product flow.

  • scannable coupons

    Coupons with a scannable bar code used to identify the promotional program and product and to deduct the correct value from a customer's receipt.

  • scanner

    An electronic register system that automatically records the product description and retail price for an item by reading a UPC code with a laser.

  • scanner allowance

    A manufacturer's performance criteria based on the number of products scanned during a promotion.

  • scanning

    A process of moving items over a laser in order to record a transaction.

  • schematic

    See planogram.

  • scratch

    A product deleted from a retailer's order because the warehouse is out of stock. Also called a short. See cut.

  • scratch bakery

    An in-store bakery that prepares products by using basic ingredients, e.g., flour, sugar, eggs, yeast.

  • seal program

    A security procedure for truck deliveries. Each truck is padlocked and sealed with a slim, numbered metal strip. The receiver breaks the seal and records the driver's name and the seal number in a log.

  • seasonal calendar/planner

    A seasonal, schedule created to simplify planning around holidays and specific selling periods, i.e., merchandising, display building, ordering, scheduling staff.

  • seasonal item

    Products associated exclusively with a holiday or specific time of the year. Also known as Seasonal Merchandise.

  • seasonal promotions

    A marketing plan of in-and-out promotions for seasonal events, such as Christmas, Back-to-School, Spring Clean-up, Halloween, Valentine's Day.

  • secondary display

    A promotional display of an item in a retail store in addition to a product's regular shelf location.

  • secondary packaging

    A master package that contains several inner packs; which are normally the unit of sale.

  • secondary supplier

    A vendor or wholesaler that supplies a retailer with a small volume of products.

  • section

    An area in a retail store that contains one category of products.

  • section reset

    See reset.

  • security deposit

    A retailer's cash deposit with a wholesaler to secure credit.

  • segregation

    Locating general merchandise products (GM) in a well-defined area of a store rather than in aisles next to or across from food products.

  • selective discounting

    Price reductions on fast-moving products to give a low- price image.

  • selective merchandising

    The elimination or minimizing of duplicate brand products.

  • selective selling

    A wholesaler's marketing practice of selling only to retailers who meet various criteria, e.g., sales volume, type of store, location and style of operation. See tonnage items.

  • self-facing fixture

    A rack or shelf that uses either gravity or mechanical means to replace an item when one item is removed by a customer.

  • self-insured

    An insurance policy within a company where revenue is generated for insurance from associates and company contributions rather than paying premiums to an outside insurance company.

  • self-liquidating premium

    A manufacturer's premium in which the product's cost is recovered through a retail sale of the product.

  • self-service

    A retail store with few service employees to assist customers other than at the checkout.

  • sell sheet

    See flash sheet.

  • sell-down

    The amount of time it takes to sell all products on the shelf.

  • semi-liquidators

    A customer's premium whose cost is only partially recovered by a manufacturer or retailer.

  • server

    A central computer, which provides processing for several terminals.

  • service charge

    In wholesaling, any charge above a transfer of goods. In retailing, an additional charge for providing service to a customer, e.g., check cashing. See neutralizing charge.

  • service department

    A retail department that fills customer's orders, e.g., service deli; service meat; service seafood; service bakery; in-store pharmacy; video department.

  • service label

    The in-stock position of a warehouse expressed as the percentage of orders placed that can be filled. The opposite of service label is out-of-stocks.

  • service merchandiser

    A vendor/ or wholesaler who specializes in a product category. Also known as a rack jobber.

  • service store

    A retail store with a high level of customer service, e.g., floral department, service deli, service bakery.

  • set

    The layout of merchandise in an aisle or store.

  • set store

    The process of properly setting up each department with approved products according to a planogram or lay-out diagram.

  • setting up

    The process of properly setting up a display of product according to a planogram.

  • share of ACV

    See all commodity volume.

  • share of market

    A product's percent of sales within a category. A retailer's share of total retail sales within a specific trading area.

  • shelf arrangement

    The assortment and location of products on store shelves.

  • shelf capacity

    The total volume of a shelf; also called holding power or pack-out.

  • shelf extender

    A self-serve display that extends beyond a gondola to increase a shelf's capacity and draw attention to a product.

  • shelf label

    A label that lists order code, description, and pack size of a product on a shelf, as well as its retail price. See shelf tag.

  • shelf life

    The time period a product can be expected to maintain maximum quality and freshness.

  • shelf marker

    A sign on a gondola. Also known as a shelf talker.

  • shelf molding

    The outer edge of a gondola shelf used for signs, UPC codes, retail prices, etc.

  • shelf price

    The retail price stored in an inventory file, shown on a shelf tag, and marked on an item.

  • shelf space

    The amount of shelf space allocated to a product category and to each product within the category.

  • shelf stable

    A processed food product that remains safe to eat without refrigeration.

  • shelf strips

    A shelf sign for a product. Also known as a shelf talker.

  • shelf tag

    A label attached to shelving which is used to identify and describe a specific item.

  • shelf talker

    Merchandise signs, attached to the shelf molding, used to draw customer attention to a product.

  • shelf warmers

    Items that sell slowly. Also known as slow movers or slow-selling items.

  • shellfish

    An aquatic animal, e.g., clams, oysters, mussels, crabs, lobsters, shrimp, squid and octopus which has a shell; crustaceans or mollusks.

  • ship notice/manifest

    An EDI transaction in which the shipper notifies a customer of a pending shipment. Generically this is known as an advance ship notice (ASN). The ASN enables the customer to identify short shipments before receipt and plan warehouse receiving more efficiently.

  • shipper

    A company that transports and retains title to a shipment until a recipient accepts a shipment.

  • shipper or shipper pack

    See prepack.

  • shipping brackets

    A manufacturer's or wholesaler's price points used to encourage retailers to order in large quantities in order to receive better discounts.

  • shipping container

    An outer shipping case used to transport products.

  • shipping unit

    The amount, size and style of product in its original case.

  • shop backs

    Individual items accumulated at the front end during the course of a day's business that can be put back on shelves for sale.

  • shoplifter

    A person who steals goods from a store, while pretending to shop.

  • shopping behavior

    An observable pattern of consumer behavior, typically in response to sales displays or product price reductions.

  • shopping cart display

    A shopping cart used as a free-standing display.

  • shopping center

    A group of complementary retail stores with a common parking lot.

  • shopping service

    A vendor who performs competitive price comparisons for a retailer within a specified market area.

  • short

    An inadequate amount of products needed to fill a shelf or an order or to meet customer demand.

  • short or short ship

    See scratch.

  • shortage

    A shortfall of a product's order or weight or of money.

  • shorts, scratches

    A note on an invoice to a retailer of insufficient or out-of-stock products at a distribution center.

  • shrink allowance

    An estimate of loss of inventory, due to delivery errors (an incorrect item or the wrong amount), theft, damages or spoilage.

  • shrink, shrinkage

    The amount of missing items due to poor management controls, receiving practices, shortages, spoilage, theft, breakage and other reasons.

  • shrink-wrap

    A process to stabilize a pallet load by wrapping stacked products with clear plastic film.

  • shucking

    A process of opening shellfish, such as oysters, clams, mussels, etc.

  • signage

    Advertising signs of many sizes used to attract customers to a display or a shelf location.

  • signature items

    Unique items that competitors do not sell, which differentiate a store or company from the competition. The items are advertised and promoted both in-store and through print advertisements.

  • SIL

    Standard Interchange language.

  • single-serve

    See portion pack.

  • single-unit pricing

    Each product is individually priced. See multiple pricing.

  • skid

    A pallet or base used to transport and store products.

  • SKU

    Stock-keeping unit.

  • slack-off, slack-out

    Thaw a frozen product.

  • sleeper

    A slow-selling product that is packed by a manufacturer with a higher volume item. Also known as a slow mover.

  • slick

    See ad slick.

  • slick allowance

    A manufacturer's allowance stipulating that a retailer use a specific advertising illustration (slick) in newspaper advertisements.

  • slipsheet

    A thick sheet of cardboard used to ship products in place of a pallet.

  • slipsheet unloading allowance

    A manufacturer's allowance to cover labor costs of off-loading a product by hand off of a slipsheet.

  • slot

    A numbered location within a distribution center that indicates the location of products for storage, retrieval and inventory control. See warehouse slot.

  • slotting allowance

    A manufacturer's incentive to a wholesaler or retailer to stock a new product. Also called conversion allowance or service allowance.

  • slug

    An embossed plate that, when inserted into certain scales, prints a descriptive label.

  • smock

    A garment supplied to employees to be worn during working hours.

  • sneeze guard

    A Plexiglas shield, surrounding three sides of a display case, that protects merchandise from contamination by customer contact either direct (touching) or indirect (sneezing).

  • SO

    Standing order.

  • soft goods

    Clothing with the exception of suits, dresses, coats or shoes.

  • soft shell lobsters

    Lobsters in the process of growing a new hard shell, enabling them to grow larger.

  • softlines

    The classification of general merchandise that includes apparel, bedding, hosiery, linens, shoes, etc.

  • solution selling

    The concept of grouping related products together in the supermarket in order to offer consumers a simplified shopping experience.

  • SOR

    Standard operating reports.

  • sore-thumb display

    An intriguing and unusual merchandising display.

  • sous-vide

    A European food-packaging technique where a prepared product is placed in individual pouches, cooked under a vacuum and quickly chilled. Products are frozen or refrigerated until used.

  • space allocation

    The method of allocating more space to faster moving items to prevent out-of-stock conditions. See space manager; velocity; planogram.

  • space management

    The allocation of space for products, based on sales volume and product profitability.

  • space management system (electronic)

    Space utilization software that plans and analyzes product categories, determines shelf allocation, and graphs planograms.

  • space manager

    A person who assigns shelf space for a product category, department, or store. See retail representative; space allocation.

  • SPAH/SPLH

    Sales per associate hour/sales per labor hour.

  • special

    See featured special.

  • special allowance

    A wholesaler's discount offered to retailers as an incentive to increase sales of a product. Also called a special purchase.

  • special display

    A display for featured products on a free-standing rack in addition to a regular shelf display.

  • special pack

    A shipping unit of a sales promotion product. Also known as a deal pack. See handling allowance; handling charge.

  • specials

    Products sold at a reduced price or as part of a promotion to attract customers.

  • specialty sales representative

    A manufacturer's or broker's representative that markets to retailers, presents promotional programs, takes product orders and arranges shipment by a retailer's preferred wholesaler.

  • specialty store

    A retail store that offers only particular types of foods, e.g., bakery, produce, meat.

  • specialty wholesale grocer

    A wholesaler that provides retailers with limited products and services. A specialty wholesaler.

  • speculation

    See turnover buying.

  • spiff

    See push money.

  • spill-in/spill-out

    Food retailers serviced by a wholesaler outside a market area.

  • spinner

    A free-standing display rack that rotates 360 degrees.

  • split case

    A product that is shipped in half-case quantities or less.

  • split palletload, split unitload

    A shipment of two different kinds of products on a full pallet. Each product makes up approximately half the pallet load. See layer-loaded unitload.

  • split shift

    A peak sales period of a day, week or holiday season during which the largest number of employees possible are scheduled to work.

  • spoilage allowance, breakage allowance

    A manufacturer's allowance to a wholesaler/retailer for breakage or spoiled products.

  • spoils

    Goods that cannot be sold for which a retailer receives a credit from a supplier. Also called stales.

  • spot display

    A product display in a high traffic area of a retail store.

  • spot mop

    A quick mop of a dirty sales floor or to clean a spill.

  • spread

    Gross profit. See gross profit; markup.

  • square down

    To straighten products on a shelf or display.

  • square foot

    A size measurement of floor space occupied by a product or product group, display fixtures and its share of aisle space.

  • SRP

    Suggested retail price.

  • stack

    A column of products consisting of one or more unit loads placed on the floor with the total height limited to a vertical opening or the compressive strength of the individual unit loads.

  • stack card

    See case card.

  • stales

    See spoils.

  • stand

    A fixture used to display merchandise.

  • standard case merchandiser

    A standard display case for service departments, used in the produce, meat, deli and bakery departments.

  • standard grocery shelving

    Adjustable shelving in a standard frame. Also called a gondola.

  • standard interchange language (SIL)

    A computer language standard developed primarily for the exchange of data between independent retailers and wholesalers.

  • standard of identity

    Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards for food composition.

  • standard operating procedures

    A comprehensive book of a company's policies and procedures. Also called SOP.

  • standard operating reports (SOR)

    Profit and loss statements or projections reviewed weekly, by period, quarter or annually.

  • standard pack

    A unit of sale having a fixed number of like consumer units per container.

  • standard shipping container

    A container of a single type of product or of a fixed configuration of multiple products used to ship items.

  • standing order (SO)

    A standard replenishment order placed by a wholesaler that allows a manufacturer to schedule production and shipping.

  • staples

    A necessary or basic food, such as flour or sugar.

  • starter gap

    A merchandising technique in which spaces are left on a shelf to give the impression that demand is great for a product.

  • start-ship date

    A kick-off date for a promotional campaign to begin. See final ship date.

  • stock

    To shelve products or to build a display.

  • stock capacity

    The total volume of products that can be placed on a shelf, in a slot or on a rack.

  • stock code

    A unique product identifier used instead of a UPC code, which is assigned at a warehouse or headquarters for ordering purposes.

  • stock status report

    A management report showing the current inventory level in-house or in-transit for a department, section or category.

  • stock turns

    See turnover.

  • stocking

    A process of shelving products in a store.

  • stocking allowance

    A manufacturer's allowance to stock a new product. See distribution allowance.

  • stock-keeping unit (SKU)

    A number that identifies each separate brand, size, flavor, color or pack of a product.

  • stockout

    A display that needs replenishment.

  • stock-up

    A temporary price reduction for items due to a manufacturers' allowance or a volume buy.

  • stop-off charge

    An additional shipping charge (rail or truck) for delivery of partial loads to several different locations.

  • store audit

    A review of management procedures and processes, e.g., inventory, cash handling, etc.

  • store brand

    A private-label product carried by a retailer. See private label.

  • store bulletin

    An operations newsletter regarding merchandising contests and promotional programs, new products, etc.

  • store coupon

    A product coupon offered only in-store with fliers or an on-shelf dispenser.

  • store dollar net profit

    The actual profit a store makes after overhead and losses are deducted.

  • store format

    The retail design or store layout based on size, services, prices, sales volume and SKUs, such as a convenience store, superstore or a conventional store.

  • store image

    The customer's impression of a retail store or a department, i.e., products carried, advertising, promotion, decor, service-level.

  • store layout

    The design and lay-out of floor space and the placement of fixtures within a department or retail store.

  • store loyalty

    See customer loyalty.

  • store manager

    A person responsible for daily operations of a retail store who hires and supervises employees, oversees merchandising and customer service and meets sales goals. Also called a store director.

  • store perimeter

    The departments located along the outside walls of a retail store, usually perishable departments.

  • store security

    Methods used to provide a secure workplace and shopping area free of violence, burglary, shoplifting and employee theft.

  • store stamp

    A rubber stamp bearing a store's number and name. The imprint of the store stamp on an invoice or other business paper indicates correctness or approval. Stamps are kept under tight security.

  • store supervisor

    An operations manager responsible for conditions, safety, product levels and cash handling procedures for several retail stores; a district manager.

  • store supplies

    Materials and merchandise needed to conduct daily business by a retailer, i.e., grocery bags, brooms and mops.

  • store traffic

    A customer count recorded by hour, day, week, month or holiday. See traffic.

  • store-door delivery

    See direct store delivery.

  • store-door margin

    A product's gross profit after deducting expenses, e.g., storage costs, delivery cost

  • store-specific pallet

    A combination of different items on a pallet shipped to a store.

  • storewide promotion

    A thematic merchandising and promotional program with all retail departments within a store participating.

  • straight load

    Merchandise delivered to retail stores in trucks carrying only one product group.

  • street money

    Monies available for specific performance, conditions or purchases. Usually from a supplier or salesperson rather than directly from a manufacturer.

  • strip display

    A horizontal shelf arrangement of like products.

  • subprimal cuts

    Untrimmed, boneless cuts of meat, primarily beef.

  • suggested retail price

    A manufacturer's recommended price for a product.

  • suggestive selling

    A marketing technique in which retail employees recommend tie-in or complementary products, e.g., cake and coffee, deli ham and cheese.

  • super combo

    An upscale grocery store with 80,000 to150,000 square feet, a full line of service departments and weekly sales of approximately $900,000. The store carries a wide variety of items, 60,000 or more, with at least 20 percent of sales attributed to general merchandise and health and beauty care products.

  • super warehouse store

    A warehouse store with a focus on low prices and a wide variety of perishable items, i.e., produce, deli, and bakery departments.

  • supermarket

    A conventional grocery store, but not a warehouse club or mass merchant, with annual sales of two million dollars or more per store.

  • Supermarket Business

    A monthly periodical for the food store industry published by Fieldmark Media: New York.

  • superstore

    A large conventional supermarket with expanded service deli, bakery, seafood and non-food sections.

  • supervisor

    A manager designated to supervise a certain area or number of stores.

  • supplemental display

    An extra display in a department in aisles or in spaces where fixed equipment will not fit, which makes merchandise more accessible.

  • supplier

    A generic term for wholesalers who sell to and supply retailers directly and indirectly, e.g., manufacturer, vendor, broker, reseller.

  • supply

    The quantity of merchandise in stock at a store or a warehouse.

  • supply center

    The specific location in each department where supplies are kept.

  • supply chain

    The process of fulfillment and movement of goods from producer or grower to consumer.

  • supply depot

    A warehouse operated by a chain or a wholesale grocer that sponsors a voluntary group.

  • support office

    A corporate office with accounting, accounts payable and receivable and advertising departments and other administrative support staff.

  • surprise buy

    Usually 15 to 25 popular items featured at unusually low prices, found throughout the entire store.

  • survey letter

    A notice from a wholesaler's or chain's headquarters to stores soliciting support and orders for an upcoming special promotion, so the buyer has a basis for determining an order for promotional items.

  • survey order

    An order from retail stores, usually for new items or deal items, previously authorized by an account's headquarters. Also, potential orders at retail stores for an item before a manufacturer's salesperson or broker presents it at the headquarters of a chain or wholesaler. See Future Order.

  • sweepstakes/contest

    A promotional contest for consumers, which features a chance to win prizes.

  • sweethearting

    A form of theft, whereby a cashier gives illegal discounts to employees, friends, and/or customers.

  • swell allowance

    A manufacturer's refund or invoice deduction to cover the costs of spoiled, processed foods, products packed in glass or dented cans. See breakage allowance; swells.

  • swells

    Unsalable items with expanded containers or lids signifying faulty food handling, processing or sealing. See swell allowance; bloating.

  • swipe reader

    A credit card or ATM card reader for cash register systems at the checkout counter.

  • syndicated data

    Information gathered by a service or company for public release and sold by subscription.