wholesale
noun [ U ]
COMMERCE uk/ˈhəʊlseɪl/ usthe activity of selling goods to stores, other businesses, etc. rather than to the public:
He raised prices slightly for wholesale and retail.
Compare
retail
wholesale
adjective
uk/ˈhəʊlseɪl/ usrelating to the activity of selling goods or services to stores, other businesses, etc. rather than to the public:
Producer prices are a gauge of costs at the wholesale level.
a wholesale price/rate The wholesale market price of gasoline is starting to rise.
wholesale sales/trade During August, total wholesale sales dropped 0.9%.
a wholesale business/company He set up a wholesale business and internet site.
He takes his produce daily to the wholesale market in Bradford.
Squeezed between manufacturers and retailers is the wholesale sector.
The bank plans to exit wholesale banking to concentrate on its core personal financial services business.
Compare
retail
wholesale
adverb
uk/ˈhəʊlseɪl/ usif something is sold wholesale, it is sold to stores, other businesses, etc. rather than to the public:
Breeders who sell puppies wholesale to a broker or pet store must obtain a USDA license.
All of her furniture was bought wholesale.
Compare
retail