The four types of merchandise generally accepted in the retail industry are apparel, home goods, electronics and food.
Apparel typically refers to clothing and accessories, including footwear, jewelry and watches. Home goods typically include furniture, housewares, kitchen items, bedding, linens and home décor. Electronics typically refers to items such as computers, televisions, gaming consoles and audio equipment. Food typical refers to groceries and items found in the supermarket, such as produce, meats, snacks, beverages, packaged goods and some prepared meals.
In retail, different stores may carry multiple categories of merchandise depending on the store’s format and target audience. For example, a home goods store might carry furniture and linens, while a drug store might carry a mix of home goods, apparel, food and electronics. Additionally, some stores might have additional categories such as pet supplies or office materials.
Overall, the four main segments of merchandise in retail are apparel, home goods, electronics and food. But in today’s market, retailers may have a wide array of additional merchandise categories as well.
