Goods vs. Merchandise: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 20, 2023
Goods refer to tangible items that are produced or manufactured for sale, while merchandise pertains specifically to goods bought and sold in retail.
Key Differences
Goods is a broad term that encapsulates any tangible items made available for use or sale. Merchandise, conversely, zeroes in on goods that are available in the retail market for purchase.
For instance, a factory producing electronics is creating goods. When these products reach a retail store and are displayed for sale, they become merchandise.
Goods can encompass a wide variety of items, not limited to those in retail. It can be raw materials, machinery, or even agricultural products. Merchandise specifically denotes items presented for sale in stores, online platforms, or other retail outlets.
The sale of goods can take place at any level: wholesale, retail, or directly from the manufacturer. On the other hand, merchandise usually implies a retail context, where consumers are the end buyers.
Both goods and merchandise have significant roles in commerce. Goods serve as the foundation, while merchandise is the specialized subset geared towards end consumers.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Tangible items produced or manufactured
Goods bought and sold in retail
Context
Broad; encompasses many types of tangible products
Specifically retail-oriented
Scope
Wider
Narrower
Sale Level
Can be wholesale, retail, or direct
Typically retail
Example
Raw materials, machinery, agricultural products
Clothing, gadgets, and accessories in stores
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Goods and Merchandise Definitions
Goods
Commodities or items in trade.
The trade agreement allowed for the free movement of goods.
Merchandise
Wares or commodities for sale.
The exclusive merchandise attracted many customers.
Goods
Products or items manufactured or produced.
The factory produces leather goods.
Merchandise
Tangible items for retail trade.
The merchandise was discounted during the sale.
Goods
Being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor
A good experience.
Good news from the hospital.
Merchandise
Goods for sale in stores or online.
The store displayed new merchandise this season.
Goods
Having the qualities that are desirable or distinguishing in a particular thing
A good exterior paint.
A good joke.
Merchandise
Items particularly in retail business.
They have a wide variety of merchandise on their website.
Goods
Serving the desired purpose or end; suitable
Is this a good dress for the party?.
Merchandise
Goods bought and sold in business; commercial wares.
Goods
Not spoiled or ruined
The milk is still good.
Merchandise
To buy and sell (goods).
Goods
In excellent condition; sound
A good tooth.
Merchandise
To promote the sale of, as by advertising or display
Merchandised a new product.
Goods
Superior to the average; satisfactory
A good student.
Merchandise
To buy and sell goods; trade commercially.
Goods
Used formerly to refer to the US Government grade of meat higher than standard and lower than choice.
Merchandise
(uncountable) Goods which are or were offered or intended for sale.
Good business depends on having good merchandise.
Goods
Of high quality
Good books.
Merchandise
(uncountable) Commercial goods connected (branded) with an entity such as a team, band, company, charity, work of fiction, festival, or meme. merch.}}
Goods
Discriminating
Good taste.
Merchandise
A commodity offered for sale; an article of commerce; a kind of merchandise.
Goods
Of moral excellence; upright
A good person.
Merchandise
The act or business of trading; trade; traffic.
Goods
Benevolent; kind
A good soul.
A good heart.
Merchandise
To engage in trade; to carry on commerce.
Goods
Loyal; staunch
A good Republican.
Merchandise
(intransitive) To engage in in-store promotion of the sale of goods, as by display and arrangement of goods.
He started his career merchandising in a small clothing store chain.
Goods
Well-behaved; obedient
A good child.
Merchandise
To engage in the trade of.
Goods
Socially correct; proper
Good manners.
Merchandise
(transitive) To engage in in-store promotion of the sale of.
He got hired to merchandise some new sporting goods lines.
Goods
Worthy of respect; honorable
Ruined the family's good name.
Merchandise
(transitive) To promote as if for sale.
The record companies don't get as good a return on merchandising artists under contract.
Goods
Attractive; handsome
Good looks.
Merchandise
The objects of commerce; whatever is usually bought or sold in trade, or market, or by merchants; wares; goods; commodities.
Goods
Beneficial to health; salutary
A good night's rest.
Merchandise
The act or business of trading; trade; traffic.
Goods
Competent; skilled
A good machinist.
Merchandise
To trade; to carry on commerce.
Goods
Complete; thorough
A good workout.
Merchandise
To make merchandise of; to buy and sell.
Goods
Reliable; sure
A good investment.
Merchandise
Commodities offered for sale;
Good business depends on having good merchandise
That store offers a variety of products
Goods
Valid or true
A good reason.
Merchandise
Engage in the trade of;
He is merchandising telephone sets
Goods
Genuine; real
A good dollar bill.
Merchandise
Stock of goods in a store.
The shop owner reordered merchandise for the upcoming holiday.
Goods
In effect; operative
A warranty good for two years.
A driver's license that is still good.
Goods
Ready or able for a specified or assumed activity
I'm good for another round of golf.
Goods
Able to pay or contribute
Is she good for the money that you lent her?.
Goods
Able to elicit a specified reaction
He is always good for a laugh.
Goods
Ample; substantial
A good income.
Goods
Bountiful
A good table.
Goods
Full
It is a good mile from here.
Goods
Pleasant; enjoyable
Had a good time at the party.
Goods
Propitious; favorable
Good weather.
A good omen.
Goods
Landing within bounds or within a particular area of a court and therefore in play
The first serve was wide, but the second was good.
Goods
Passing between the uprights of the goal and therefore scoring, as a field goal in football.
Goods
Used to form exclamatory phrases expressing surprise or dismay
Good heavens! Good grief!.
Goods
Something that is good.
Goods
A good, valuable, or useful part or aspect.
Goods
Welfare; benefit
For the common good.
Goods
Goodness; virtue
There is much good to be found in people.
Goods
A product that is bought and sold
Frozen goods.
Goods
Goods Portable personal property.
Goods
(used with a sing. or pl. verb) Fabric; material.
Goods
Goods(Slang) Incriminating information or evidence
Tried to get the goods on the crook.
Goods
Well.
Goods
Plural of good
Goods
That which is produced, then traded, bought or sold, then finally consumed.
Goods
Freight, as opposed to passengers.
Goods
Something authentic, important, or revealing.
Goods
(slang) The female body, especially when seen as desirable.
Goods
(slang) The male genitals.
Goods
Articles of commerce
Goods
Tangible items for use or sale.
The farmer had an abundance of goods after the harvest.
Goods
Articles of commerce.
The freight truck was loaded with goods.
Goods
All movable property.
The thief was caught stealing goods from the warehouse.
FAQs
Can a service be called merchandise?
No, merchandise refers specifically to tangible items for sale.
Is merchandise always in a retail context?
Mostly, merchandise is used in a retail context, indicating goods for sale to consumers.
Are digital products considered goods or merchandise?
They can be merchandise when sold in retail, but they're not tangible, so not traditionally "goods".
Can goods also refer to intangible items?
Typically, goods are tangible. Intangible items are usually referred to as services or assets.
Can farm produce be considered goods?
Yes, farm produce are tangible and can be considered goods.
Can a hand-crafted item be considered goods?
Yes, hand-crafted items are tangible and can be labeled as goods.
Is there a difference in quality implied between goods and merchandise?
Not necessarily. Both terms refer to the nature of items and their context, not their quality.
Are all merchandise considered goods?
Yes, all merchandise are goods, but not all goods are merchandise.
Are unsold items in a store still called merchandise?
Yes, as long as they're presented for sale in a retail setting, they're merchandise.
Does merchandise always mean new items?
No, merchandise can be new or second-hand items available for retail sale.
Can goods be used for personal use and not for sale?
Yes, goods can be for personal use or for sale, while merchandise typically implies intent to sell.
Are digital downloads considered merchandise?
They can be termed merchandise in a retail context, but are not tangible "goods".
Does merchandise include only physical stores?
No, merchandise includes items for sale both in physical stores and online platforms.
When does goods turn into merchandise?
Goods typically become merchandise when they're presented for sale in a retail environment.
Can a business dealing in machinery call its products merchandise?
While technically they are goods, if they are sold in a retail setting, they can be termed merchandise.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
