noun phrase · academic

retail sector

UK/ˈriːteɪl ˈsɛktə(r)/US/ˈriːteɪl ˈsɛktər/re·TAIL·SEC·tor

Band 7+speakingtask2

the industry involved in selling goods directly to consumers

Examples

The retail sector has been transformed by e-commerce in the past decade.

Job losses in the retail sector often hit low-paid workers hardest.

Analysts predict slow growth for the retail sector next year.

Band 8 sentence

Economic reports suggest that the retail sector will face structural changes as consumer habits move increasingly online.

Collocations

  • the retail sector
  • a downturn in the retail sector
  • jobs in the retail sector

Word family

retail sectors noun (pl)retailer noun

Common mistakes

retails sectorretail sector

the retailthe retail sector / retail sector

in retail sectorin the retail sector

Say it for a higher band

5shops6retail industry7+retail sector

Synonyms

retail industry

retail trade

Easily confused

retail outlet

Many shoppers prefer to browse products in a retail outlet rather than online.

Related words

Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.

In Shopping & Money

Learn it with its set