What does "retail" mean? Easily explained
What this means when you purchase a retail version of a product, we explain to you in this article. Retail is simply derived from English.
What does retail actually mean?
Retail actually only means "retail". When trading in the computer sector, different versions for the same product are often offered.
- You will often find the term "retail version". This means a product that is intended for the end user. Retail products are characterized by several properties.
- The goods are intended for the end user, so they should look a bit different. As a rule, retail products have beautifully designed and sometimes complex packaging.
- The customer should be as satisfied as possible and receive all the necessary components in one package. For example, a printer comes with the cable, the manual and the required software, as well as a set of printer cartridges. The customer can put the product into operation directly.
What versions are there besides retail?
In addition to retail versions, there are of course other variants of products.
- A bulk version of a product is mass-based and does not have nice packaging. Bulk products also lack additional components. For example, you only buy the printer - without software, manual and cables. Using software as an example, you would only get the CD or DVD in a simple paper sleeve - without a nice cover or hard case.
- You have probably already read OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) or system images. For example when buying a PC. OEM is not intended as a single product for the end user. The software manufacturer - Microsoft for example - sells discounted full versions to these "original equipment manufacturers". The end customer then buys a PC on which the software has already been installed.
Retail is not the only possibly confusing term when buying goods from the computer sector. Read about what "overhauled" means at PC & Co in the next practical tip.