Karnataka SSLC NSQF Retail (KSEAB) 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 person or business that buys products from manufacturers, wholesalers or distributors and sells them in small quantities to end customers.

A trader who buys goods in bulk from producers and resells them in smaller lots to retailers, usually not selling directly to final consumers.

The final user of a product or service who buys it for personal use and does not resell it further in the supply chain.

The chain of businesses and steps through which goods move from the producer to the final buyer, such as manufacturer to wholesaler to retailer to consumer.

The full network of people, organisations, activities and resources involved in moving a product from raw material to the final customer.

A retail outlet with a physical shop that customers visit in person to see, select and buy goods, as opposed to selling only online.

The particular type or structure of a retail outlet, such as a convenience store, supermarket, department store or discount store, defined by size, range and pricing.

A large self-service retail store selling a wide range of food, groceries and household items, organised into aisles and usually offering lower prices than small shops.

A large retail outlet divided into separate sections or departments, each selling a distinct category such as clothing, cosmetics or electronics, often with staff assistance.

The planned arrangement of aisles, shelves, counters and display areas inside a shop so that customers can move easily and see products clearly.

A diagram that shows exactly where each product should be placed on a shelf or display, including the number of facings and shelf position.

The number of units of a product placed side by side at the front of a shelf so that the label and brand are clearly visible to shoppers.

The use of displays, lighting, colour, signage and product arrangement in a store to attract customers and encourage them to buy.

A staged arrangement of products and props in a shop window designed to attract the attention of passers-by and draw them inside.

The organised presentation of products on shelves, racks, counters or stands so that they are visible, accessible and appealing to customers.

A group of related products that a store manages together, such as footwear, dairy products or kitchen appliances, for planning and display purposes.

The complete range of products, brands, sizes and varieties that a retailer offers for sale within a category or across the store.

The assistance and support a retailer gives to customers before, during and after a purchase, including greeting, advice, complaint handling and follow-up.

The degree to which a customer's expectations about a product or service are met or exceeded, often reflected in repeat visits and positive feedback.

A customer's habit of repeatedly buying from the same retailer and recommending it to others, usually built through good service and value.

Persuading a customer to buy a higher-priced or upgraded version of a product than the one they first asked for, after explaining the added benefits.

Suggesting a related or complementary product to a customer who is already buying something, such as offering a phone case with a new phone.

A customer's expression of dissatisfaction about a product, service or staff behaviour, which the retailer must record and resolve politely and promptly.

The total stock of goods a retailer holds for sale, including items on shelves, in the storeroom and in transit, valued for accounting and planning.

The quantity of a particular item currently available in the store, which must be kept high enough to meet demand but not so high that it ties up money.

The minimum stock quantity at which a fresh order must be placed so that new supplies arrive before the existing stock runs out.

The period between placing an order with a supplier and receiving the goods in the store, used to decide when to reorder.

The process of physically counting every item in the store and matching the count against recorded stock to find shortages or errors.

The loss of stock value caused by theft, shoplifting, damage, spoilage or record errors, measured as the gap between recorded and actual stock.

A stock rotation method in which older stock is sold or used before newer stock, helping to reduce expiry and spoilage, especially for perishable goods.

Products such as milk, fruit, vegetables and bakery items that spoil quickly and must be stored and sold within a short time.

The place, usually the billing counter, where a customer pays for goods, and also the software or machine used to record the sale.

A machine at the billing counter used to record sales, calculate totals and keep the cash drawer secure during transactions.

A document listing the goods sold, their quantities, prices and total amount payable, given to the customer as proof of purchase.

Goods and Services Tax, the indirect tax charged on the sale of goods and services in India, which must be shown correctly on the customer's bill.

The locked tray inside or beside the billing counter that holds cash and is opened only for a transaction, counted at the start and end of a shift.

The end-of-shift check comparing the cash physically in the drawer with the total sales recorded, to identify any shortage or excess.

The act of taking goods from a store without paying for them, a common form of retail theft that staff must watch for and report.

Closed-circuit television, a system of cameras that records activity in the store to deter theft and provide evidence when incidents occur.

A clearly marked door or route kept free of obstruction so that customers and staff can leave the building quickly during a fire or other emergency.

The set of precautions in a store, including extinguishers, alarms, clear exits and staff training, that prevent fires and protect people if one starts.

The practices and rules that keep employees and customers safe from injury in the store, covering floors, stacking, equipment, electricity and hygiene.

Giving full attention to a speaker, noticing both words and feelings, and responding with questions or summaries to confirm understanding.

The use of spoken words, tone and clarity of speech to share information with customers and colleagues in a way they understand easily.

Non-verbal signals such as posture, facial expression, eye contact and gestures that convey attitude and feelings during an interaction.

The personal cleanliness, neat clothing and tidy appearance expected of retail staff so that customers see them as professional and trustworthy.

Working cooperatively with colleagues, sharing tasks and supporting one another so that store operations run smoothly during busy periods.