Odisha CHSE +2 Vocational Retail Sales Associate key terms

The business activity of selling goods or services directly to final consumers for their own personal or household use, rather than for resale or further processing.

A business or person that buys products from manufacturers, wholesalers or distributors and sells them in small quantities to end customers, adding service and convenience along the way.

The path a product follows from producer to final consumer, including every intermediary such as agents, wholesalers and retailers, plus the transport and storage links between them.

A trader who purchases goods in bulk from producers and resells them in smaller lots to retailers or institutional buyers, usually without selling to final consumers.

A physical shop with a fixed location where customers browse and buy in person, offering touch, trial and immediate possession that purely online sellers cannot provide.

A strategy that integrates physical stores, websites, mobile apps and marketplaces so customers enjoy one seamless experience, including buy-online-pick-up-in-store and shared loyalty accounts.

The practice and software used to record customer details, purchase history and preferences so staff can personalise service, target offers and retain loyal buyers over time.

An estimate of the total profit a customer generates across the whole relationship with the retailer, used to justify spending on retention and personalised service.

A customer's habit of repeatedly choosing one retailer over competitors, built through consistent service quality, rewards programmes, trust and emotional connection with the brand.

Every point where a customer directly interacts with staff, displays, packaging or payment and forms an impression of the retailer, such as entry, enquiry, trial and billing.

The planned steps a retailer takes to fix a service failure, such as apologising, listening, correcting the problem quickly and compensating fairly, so the customer leaves satisfied.

The complete range of products a retailer offers, described by breadth (number of categories) and depth (variants within a category), chosen to match target customer demand.

A unique code identifying one specific sellable item by its size, colour, style or pack, used for pricing, stock records, billing and reordering.

A diagram showing exactly where each product goes on shelves, at what height and in what quantity, so displays look consistent across stores and sell space is used efficiently.

The arrangement of products, lighting, signage and props in a store to attract attention, guide customers through the space and encourage unplanned purchases.

A buying decision made suddenly at the point of sale without prior planning, often triggered by attractive display, low price or convenient placement near the billing counter.

Persuading a customer to buy a higher-priced or upgraded version of the product they are considering, by explaining better features, durability or long-term value.

Suggesting related or complementary products that add value to the main purchase, such as a phone cover with a handset or polish with shoes, to raise the bill size.

A gentle selling technique where staff propose additional items based on the customer's stated need or occasion, without pressure, and always respect a clear refusal.

The counter or digital terminal where the sale is finalised, prices are calculated, payment is collected and a receipt is issued, often linked to stock and accounting systems.

A printed pattern of parallel lines and spaces encoding a product number, read by a scanner at billing to fetch the price instantly and reduce keying errors.

The locked tray inside or beside a billing counter that holds notes and coins for giving change, opened only by the cashier or supervisor for each transaction.

The end-of-shift check comparing opening float plus cash received minus refunds and payouts against the POS sales report, to detect shortages, errors or theft.

The loss of stock value caused by theft, supplier fraud, damage, spoilage, mispricing or paperwork error, measured as the gap between recorded and actual inventory.

A scheduled physical count of stock compared with system records to verify accuracy, identify shrinkage and correct errors before they distort ordering or accounts.

The stock quantity that triggers a fresh purchase order, set high enough to cover demand during the supplier's lead time so shelves do not run empty.

The total period between placing a purchase order and receiving usable stock, including supplier processing, transport, customs and inward inspection at the store.

A document signed when delivered stock is checked against the purchase order, recording quantities accepted, shortages, damage or substitutions for later claims and payment.

A formal written request from a retailer to a supplier specifying item codes, quantities, agreed prices, delivery date and place, which becomes a binding contract once accepted.

Concentrating fully on a speaker, noting words, tone and body language, then confirming understanding by paraphrasing or asking questions instead of interrupting.

Personal cleanliness and neat presentation, including clean uniform, tidy hair, trimmed nails, fresh breath and minimal jewellery, which builds customer trust in the retailer.

Responding to a customer's doubt about price, quality, fit or need by acknowledging the concern, clarifying it and offering evidence or alternatives rather than arguing.

Cameras recording sales floors, entrances and cash areas to deter theft and provide evidence during investigations, operated with due regard to privacy rules and signage.

Tags or labels attached to merchandise that trigger an alarm at exit gates unless deactivated or removed at billing, discouraging shoplifting and organised retail theft.

An indirect tax levied on the supply of goods and services, collected by the seller at the point of sale and remitted to government, shown separately on the tax invoice.

A document listing the seller's GST registration number, buyer details, item descriptions, taxable value, tax rate and total, required for input credit and returns.

The difference between selling price and the cost of the goods sold, usually expressed as a percentage of selling price, showing how much a sale contributes to overheads and profit.

A planned or forced reduction in selling price used to clear slow stock, match competitors or respond to seasonal change, which lowers margin but releases working capital.

Buying and selling of goods or services over the internet through websites, mobile apps or marketplaces, including digital payment, order tracking and returns handling.

Transfer of money using electronic channels such as cards, UPI, net banking or mobile wallets instead of cash, confirmed by PIN, OTP or biometric authentication.

The act of spotting a market opportunity, arranging resources, taking calculated financial risk and building a venture that delivers value to customers and earns profit.

The habits and standards expected at work, including punctuality, honesty, accountability, respect for colleagues and customers, and refusal of bribes or falsified records.