Sales: meaning, definitions and examples

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sales

 

[ seษชlz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

business

Sales refer to the activities related to selling products or services in exchange for money. It involves identifying potential customers, persuading them to make a purchase, and closing the deal.

Synonyms

commerce, dealings, trade, transactions.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sales

Used to refer to the activity of selling goods or services, particularly in a business context. It often involves effort to persuade customers to buy.

  • The company saw a significant increase in sales last quarter.
  • He worked in sales for over ten years.
transactions

Refers specifically to the process of buying or selling something, often documented and recorded. This term is common in banking and finance.

  • The bank tracks all of your transactions for your account statement.
  • Online transactions have increased significantly during the pandemic.
dealings

Used especially to describe interactions or transactions, typically business-related, between individuals or organizations. It can sometimes carry a neutral or slightly negative connotation if implying underhanded transactions.

  • He was known for his honest dealings with clients.
  • They had several business dealings together before starting a partnership.
commerce

Refers to the broader system of business activities involved in buying and selling goods and services, commonly on a large scale. It encompasses various sectors and industries.

  • The rise of e-commerce has changed the landscape of traditional retail.
  • Commerce between countries facilitates global trade.
trade

Describes the exchange of goods and services, often between countries or businesses. It encompasses importing, exporting, and the negotiation processes involved.

  • International trade agreements can affect local economies.
  • She specializes in the trade of luxury goods.

Examples of usage

  • Her sales skills helped her exceed the monthly targets.
  • The company's sales team is responsible for increasing revenue.
  • I have experience in sales and marketing.
  • We need to improve our sales strategies to boost profits.
  • Successful salespeople possess excellent communication skills.
Context #2 | Noun

economics

Sales also refer to the total amount of money earned from selling products or services within a specific period. It is a key metric used to evaluate the performance of a business.

Synonyms

income, profits, revenue, turnover.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sales

Use when referring to the total number of units or products sold by a business. It is commonly used in retail and general business contexts.

  • The company's sales increased by 20% last quarter.
  • Holiday sales are crucial for the retail industry.
revenue

Use when referring to the total amount of money generated from sales or services before any expenses are deducted. It is used in business reports and financial statements.

  • The company's annual revenue exceeded expectations.
  • Advertising revenue is a significant part of their income.
income

Use when referring to the money earned by an individual or business after expenses and taxes are subtracted. It can be used both in personal finance and business contexts.

  • Her monthly income is enough to cover all her expenses.
  • The company's net income showed a significant increase.
turnover

Use when referring to the total sales generated by a business in a specific period, or in British English, it can also refer to employee attrition. In business contexts, it is often used to show the scale of business operations.

  • The company reported a turnover of $1 million last year.
  • High employee turnover can affect productivity.
profits

Use when referring to the financial gain realized after subtracting expenses from revenue. This word is commonly used in business and financial analysis.

  • The company's profits soared after the new product launch.
  • He evaluates the profits before making any investment decisions.

Examples of usage

  • The company reported a significant increase in sales this quarter.
  • Our sales figures have been declining for the past few months.
  • He is responsible for analyzing the sales data to identify trends.
  • Sales revenue is crucial for the company's growth.
  • The marketing team plays a vital role in driving sales.
Context #3 | Noun

plural form of sale

Sales can also refer to special promotions or discounts offered by retailers to attract customers and increase purchases.

Synonyms

clearance, discounts, promotions, specials.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sales

Plural form of 'sale', refers to events or seasons where items are sold at reduced prices.

  • The holiday sales start next week.
  • She is waiting for the Black Friday sales to buy a new TV.
discounts

Used when prices are reduced, usually by a specific percentage or amount.

  • This store offers discounts for students and military personnel.
  • You can get a 10% discount if you buy more than two items.
promotions

Used to describe special deals or offers intended to promote a product or service. Could include discounts, freebies, or bundled deals.

  • The supermarket is running a promotion on all dairy products this week.
  • Check out our latest promotion: buy one, get one free.
clearance

Typically used when a store wants to quickly sell a large amount of stock, often to make room for new inventory. Usually involves deep discounts.

  • We are having a clearance sale on all summer clothing.
  • The warehouse is having a clearance event to get rid of old stock.
specials

Often refers to temporary deals or unique offers that are available for a limited time.

  • Today's specials include half-price appetizers and $5 cocktails.
  • The store is offering weekend specials on all electronics.

Examples of usage

  • The store has a big sale this weekend.
  • I bought this dress at a 50% off sale.
  • Sales events are common during holiday seasons.
  • They are having a clearance sale on winter items.
  • The sales at the mall drew a large crowd.

Translations

Translations of the word "sales" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น vendas

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฌเคฟเค•เฅเคฐเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Verkรคufe

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ penjualan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟั€ะพะดะฐะถั–

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ sprzedaลผ

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ฒฉๅฃฒ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท ventes

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ ventas

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท satฤฑลŸlar

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํŒ๋งค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุจูŠุนุงุช

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ prodej

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ predaj

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้”€ๅ”ฎ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ prodaja

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ sala

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัะฐั‚ัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ’แƒแƒงแƒ˜แƒ“แƒ•แƒ”แƒ‘แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ satฤฑลŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ ventas

Etymology

The word 'sales' originated from the Old English word 'sael' which meant 'act of selling, dealing, exchange.' Over time, it evolved to 'sales' in Middle English. The concept of sales has been integral to commerce and trade throughout history, with the development of sales techniques and strategies dating back centuries. In the modern business world, sales play a crucial role in generating revenue and driving economic activity.

See also: salable, sale, saleability, salesman, salesperson.

Word Frequency Rank

At #943 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.