Relating to buying and selling goods in large amounts, usually to stores rather than directly to customers. Prices are usually lower because of the big quantities.
From 'whole' + 'sale', originally meaning the sale of goods in their entirety rather than in small portions. It developed as a contrast to 'retail.'
The word literally grew out of selling the 'whole' lot at once. That’s why wholesale is about big batches, while 'retail' breaks things into small pieces for everyday shoppers.
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