Whether you’re a seasoned boutique owner or just getting started, understanding wholesale and retail lingo is essential. From inventory management to sales reporting, the industry is packed with specialized terms and acronyms that can be overwhelming—especially when making important buying decisions.
That’s why we’ve created a free, easy-to-reference guide to help you decode the most important wholesale and retail terms every boutique owner should know! Download it here.
In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek at some of the must-know terms that will help you navigate wholesale buying, track sales performance, and optimize your business growth like a pro.
Essential Wholesale & Retail Terms & Acronyms
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) – The smallest amount of product a vendor requires you to purchase in one order.
SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) – A unique identifier assigned to each product variant in your inventory.
GMROI (Gross Margin Return on Investment) – A key metric that measures your profit return on the cost of inventory.
Turnover Rate – The number of times inventory is sold and replaced within a given period. A higher turnover rate means products are moving quickly!
Drop Shipping – A retail fulfillment method where a store doesn’t keep products in stock but instead transfers customer orders directly to a supplier.
Pre-Pack – A wholesale order that includes a predetermined mix of sizes, styles, or colors, rather than allowing retailers to select individual units.
Net Terms – A payment agreement that allows retailers to pay for orders within a set period (e.g., Net 30 means payment is due in 30 days).
Sales & Financial Terms
COGS (Cost of Goods Sold) – The direct costs of producing or purchasing the goods you sell.
AOV (Average Order Value) – The average amount a customer spends per order.
Sell-Through Rate – The percentage of inventory sold in a given time period, helping you measure how well your products are performing.
Margins – The difference between the cost of a product and its selling price, expressed as a percentage. Higher margins = better profitability!
Net Profit vs. Gross Profit – Gross profit is revenue minus COGS, while net profit is what’s left after deducting all expenses.
Marketing & E-Commerce Terms
CTR (Click-Through Rate) – The percentage of people who click on a link in an email, ad, or social media post.
Cart Abandonment Rate – The percentage of shoppers who add items to their cart but leave before completing a purchase.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – The practice of optimizing your website and content to rank higher in search engine results.
ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) – A metric that measures the revenue generated for every dollar spent on advertising.
UGC (User-Generated Content) – Content created by customers or fans that promotes your brand (like customer photos or reviews).
MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) – The lowest price a retailer is allowed to advertise a product for, as set by the brand or manufacturer.
Get the Full List For FREE!
Mastering retail terminology doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We’ve put together a free downloadable guide with all the must-know retail terms and acronyms so you can feel confident in every conversation, report, and buying decision.
Grab your free copy now!
By knowing these terms, you’ll be able to navigate wholesale orders, track key performance metrics, and make smarter business decisions.
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