Glossary
- Glossary for Exporting and Food Industry
- Export and Import Terms
- Food Industry Terms
- Glossary for Food Buyers: Restaurants, Delicatessens, and Importers/Distributors
- Regulatory, Inventory and Technical Terms
- B2B Marketplace Terms
- B2C Food Business Terms
- Digital Marketing Terms
Glossary for Exporting and Food Industry
Export and Import Terms
Ad Valorem Tax
A tax based on the value of the item, often used in customs duties.
Bill of Exchange
A written, unconditional order by one party to another to pay a certain sum of money, either immediately or on a fixed date.
Bill of Lading (B/L)
A legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper, detailing the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being shipped. It acts as a receipt of shipment when the goods are delivered at the destination.
Carnet
An international customs document that permits the tax-free and duty-free temporary export and import of goods for up to one year.
Certificate of Origin
A document certifying the country in which the goods were manufactured. It is often required by customs authorities to determine tariffs and ensure compliance with trade agreements.
Commercial Invoice
A document used in foreign trade that serves as a bill for the goods from the seller to the buyer.
Commodity Code
A numerical code used to identify products in international trade, used for statistical purposes and to apply tariffs.
Consignment
The act of sending goods to another person or place for sale. Ownership of the goods remains with the sender until sold.
Consular Invoice
A document that is certified by the consulate of the country to which the goods are being shipped and used to control and identify goods.
Countertrade
A type of international trade in which goods or services are exchanged for other goods or services, rather than for hard currency.
Customs Clearance
The process of passing goods through customs so they can enter or leave a country. This involves submitting necessary documentation and payment of applicable duties and taxes.
Customs Duty
A tax imposed on imports and exports of goods. Duties are based on the value of goods and the tariffs set by the importing country.
Documentary Collection
A transaction where the seller instructs their bank to forward documents related to the export of goods to the buyer's bank with a request to present these documents to the buyer for payment.
Dumping
The practice of selling goods in a foreign market at a price lower than their normal value, usually lower than the cost of production.
Duty Drawback
A refund of customs duties paid on goods that are subsequently exported.
Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
An agreement between countries to facilitate trade and investment. These agreements typically include provisions on tariffs, trade in services, investment, and sustainable development.
Ex Works (EXW)
An international trade term indicating that the seller's responsibility is to make the goods available for pickup at their premises (factory, warehouse, etc.).
Export Credit Insurance
Insurance to protect an exporter of products and services against the risk of non-payment by a foreign buyer.
Export Declaration
A document submitted by an exporter to the customs authorities of a country providing details about the goods to be exported.
Export License
A government document that authorizes the export of specific goods in specific quantities to a particular destination.
Export Subsidy
A government policy to encourage export of goods and discourage sale of goods on the domestic market through various incentives.
FOB (Free On Board)
A shipping term indicating that the seller pays for transportation of the goods to the port of shipment, plus loading costs. The buyer pays for all costs beyond that point.
Foreign Exchange Risk
The risk of losing money due to changes in the exchange rate between two currencies.
Freight Forwarder
A company that arranges the logistics of shipping goods from the manufacturer to the market or final point of distribution.
Harmonized System (HS) Code
A standardized numerical method of classifying traded products. It is used by customs authorities to determine tariffs and monitor trade statistics.
Import License
A document issued by a national government authorizing the importation of certain goods into its territory.
Import Quota
A limit on the quantity of a specific product that can be imported into a country. Quotas protect domestic industries from foreign competition.
Incoterms (International Commercial Terms)
A set of predefined commercial terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) used in international transactions to clearly define the responsibilities of buyers and sellers.
Letter of Credit (L/C)
A payment mechanism used in international trade to provide an economic guarantee from a creditworthy bank to an exporter of goods.
Logistics
The detailed coordination of complex operations involving people, facilities, and supplies in the production, packaging, and shipping of goods.
Manifest
A document listing the cargo, passengers, and crew of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle for the use of customs and other officials.
Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs)
Any measure, other than tariffs, that can be used to restrict imports or exports, such as quotas, embargoes, or quality conditions imposed by the importing country.
Proforma Invoice
An initial bill of sale sent to buyers in advance of a shipment or delivery of goods. It details the goods to be shipped and the terms of the sale.
Quota
A government-imposed trade restriction that limits the number, or monetary value, of goods that can be imported or exported during a particular time period.
Tariff
A tax imposed by a government on goods and services imported from other countries, typically used to protect domestic industries from foreign competition.
Tariff Quota
A set limit on the amount of goods that can be imported or exported at a reduced tariff rate; amounts above this threshold are subject to higher tariffs.
Trade Agreement
A contractual arrangement between countries concerning their trade relationships. Trade agreements may involve reducing tariffs, import quotas, and other trade restrictions.
Trade Facilitation
The simplification, modernization, and harmonization of export and import processes.
Value-Added Tax (VAT)
A consumption tax placed on a product whenever value is added at each stage of the supply chain, from production to the point of sale.
World Trade Organization (WTO)
An intergovernmental organization that regulates international trade by providing a framework for negotiating trade agreements and a dispute resolution process.
Food Industry Terms
Allergen Labeling
The practice of clearly identifying any potential allergens contained in food products, such as nuts, dairy, or gluten.
BRC Global Standards
A leading safety and quality certification program, used by over 26,000 certified suppliers in over 130 countries, issued by the British Retail Consortium.
Bioavailability
The degree to which nutrients from food are absorbed and utilized by the body.
Codex Alimentarius
A collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines, and other recommendations relating to food production and food safety.
Cold Chain
A temperature-controlled supply chain used to preserve and extend the shelf life of perishable products, such as fresh food, dairy, and frozen items.
Contaminants
Substances that may be present in food products but are not intended to be, such as pesticides, heavy metals, or other chemicals.
EU Ecolabel
The official European Union label for products that meet high environmental standards throughout their lifecycle.
EU Food Law
Regulations and directives set by the European Union to ensure food safety, protect public health, and guarantee fair practices in food trade.
Enrichment
The process of adding nutrients to food to enhance its nutritional value, often required for products like bread and cereals.
FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
The U.S. federal agency responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety and security of the nation's food supply.
Food Additives
Substances added to food to enhance its flavor, appearance, or preservation qualities.
Food Desert
An area where residents have limited access to affordable and nutritious food.
Food Safety Management System (FSMS)
A systematic approach to controlling food safety hazards within a business to ensure that food is safe to eat.
Foodborne Illness
Illnesses caused by consuming contaminated food, including bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections.
Functional Foods
Foods that have a potentially positive effect on health beyond basic nutrition, such as those fortified with vitamins or containing probiotics.
GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
Regulations enforced by the FDA to ensure that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards.
Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)
An organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques, often to enhance certain traits such as resistance to pests.
GlobalGAP
A private sector body that sets voluntary standards for the certification of agricultural products around the globe.
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
A collection of principles to apply for on-farm production and post-production processes, resulting in safe and healthy food and non-food agricultural products.
HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)
A systematic preventive approach to food safety from biological, chemical, and physical hazards in production processes.
Halal
Food that is permissible according to Islamic law, often certified by a Halal certification body.
ISO 22000
An international standard that defines the requirements of a food safety management system covering all organizations in the food chain from "farm to fork."
Kosher
Food that conforms to Jewish dietary laws, often certified by a Kosher certification body.
Low-Input Agriculture
Agricultural practices that use minimal amounts of fertilizers, pesticides, and other inputs to reduce environmental impact.
Microbiological Testing
Testing food products for harmful bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms to ensure safety and quality.
Mycotoxins
Toxic compounds produced by certain types of fungi, which can contaminate crops and pose health risks to humans and animals.
Novel Foods
Foods and food ingredients that have not been significantly consumed by humans in the EU before 15 May 1997.
Nutritional Labeling
Information found on the labels of food products that indicates the nutritional content of the food, such as calories, fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Organic Certification
A certification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products, ensuring that they comply with organic farming standards.
Organic Farming
A method of farming that uses natural substances and processes to maintain soil fertility and control pests, rather than synthetic chemicals.
Pesticide Residues
Traces of chemicals used to protect crops from pests, which can remain on or in food products.
Post-Harvest Handling
The processes and techniques used to maintain the quality and safety of food products after they have been harvested, such as cooling, cleaning, and packaging.
Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
A label for products that are produced, processed, and prepared in a specific geographical area, using recognized know-how.
Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)
A label for products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities, reputation, or characteristics inherent to that location.
REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals)
An EU regulation that addresses the production and use of chemical substances, including those found in food products, ensuring that they do not adversely affect human health or the environment.
Ready-to-Eat (RTE)
Food products that do not require any further preparation or cooking before being consumed.
Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS)
Measures Measures to protect humans, animals, and plants from diseases, pests, or contaminants.
Sensory Evaluation
The process of using human senses to evaluate the characteristics of food products, such as taste, smell, and texture.
Slow Food
A movement that promotes local food traditions, sustainable farming, and the enjoyment of high-quality, artisan foods.
Supply Chain Traceability
The ability to track the movement of food products through each stage of production, processing, and distribution.
Surplus Food
Excess food that is produced but not consumed, often donated to food banks or redistributed to reduce waste.
Sustainability
The practice of producing food in a way that is environmentally friendly, economically viable, and socially responsible, ensuring that future generations can also meet their needs.
Third-Party Certification
Certification provided by an independent organization to ensure that a product, process, or system meets specified standards.
Total Quality Management (TQM)
An integrated approach to achieving and maintaining high levels of quality throughout an organization.
Trace Elements
Nutrients that are required by the body in very small amounts, such as iron, zinc, and selenium.
Traceability
The ability to trace the history, application, or location of an item by means of recorded identification. In the food industry, it is critical for managing food safety and quality.
Trans Fats
A type of unhealthy fat that is created during the process of hydrogenating oils, often found in processed foods.
Umami
One of the five basic tastes, described as a savory or meaty flavor, often associated with foods like mushrooms, soy sauce, and aged cheeses.
Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP 600)
A set of rules on the issuance and use of letters of credit, used by banks and businesses worldwide.
Urban Agriculture
The practice of growing food in urban areas, such as on rooftops, in community gardens, or through vertical farming.
Value-Added Products
Food products that have been processed or enhanced to increase their value, such as pre-cut vegetables or seasoned meats.
Vertical Integration
The combination of two or more stages of production or distribution that are usually separate, under a single company's control.
Water Activity
A measure of the availability of water in a food product, which affects its shelf life and safety.
Whole Foods
Foods that are minimally processed and do not contain artificial ingredients or additives.
Whole Grain
Grains that contain all parts of the grain kernel - the bran, germ, and endosperm - and are considered more nutritious than refined grains.
Wild-Caught
Fish or other seafood that are caught from their natural habitats rather than being farmed.
Yield
The amount of product that is produced from a given amount of raw materials, often expressed as a percentage.
Zero Waste
A philosophy and design principle that aims to reduce the volume of waste produced, including food waste, by reusing, recycling, and composting materials.
Glossary for Food Buyers: Restaurants, Delicatessens, and Importers/Distributors
Regulatory, Inventory and Technical Terms
Allergen
Labeling The practice of clearly identifying any potential allergens contained in food products, such as nuts, dairy, or gluten.
Appellation of Origin
A designation used to identify a product whose quality or characteristics are significantly related to its geographical origin.
Artisan Food
Food products made by skilled craftspeople using traditional methods, often in small batches.
Batch Cooking
Preparing large quantities of food in a single session to be used over a period of time, often for efficiency and consistency in restaurants.
Best Before Date
A date marked on food packaging indicating the period during which the product will remain at its best quality.
Cross-Contamination
The transfer of harmful bacteria or substances from one food item to another, which can occur during storage, preparation, or cooking.
Cuisine
A style of cooking characterized by distinctive ingredients, techniques, and dishes, often associated with a specific culture or region.
FIFO (First In, First Out)
An inventory management method where the oldest stock is used first, ensuring freshness and reducing waste.
Fair Trade
A social movement aimed at helping producers in developing countries achieve better trading conditions and promote sustainable farming.
Farm-to-Table
A movement that promotes serving locally produced food in restaurants and other food establishments, emphasizing freshness and sustainability.
Food Cost Percentage
A metric used in the restaurant industry to determine the cost of food in relation to sales, calculated as (Cost of Goods Sold / Total Sales) * 100.
Food Fraud
The deliberate adulteration, substitution, or misrepresentation of food products for economic gain.
Food Miles
The distance food travels from where it is produced to where it is consumed, with shorter distances often preferred for freshness and sustainability.
Free Range
A method of farming where animals are allowed to roam freely outdoors, often associated with higher welfare standards.
Freshness
The quality of being recently made or obtained, often a key consideration for restaurants and delicatessens.
GMO-Free
Indicates that a product does not contain genetically modified organisms, often preferred by certain consumers for health or environmental reasons.
Local Sourcing
The practice of obtaining food products from local producers, which can support the local economy and reduce environmental impact.
Menu Engineering
The study and design of menus to maximize profitability by strategically placing and pricing items to influence customer choices.
Pallet
A flat structure used to support goods during transport, storage, and handling, often standardized for ease of movement and storage.
Portion Control
The practice of measuring and controlling the amount of food served to ensure consistency and manage costs.
Prepared Foods
Foods that are ready to eat or require minimal preparation, often sold in delicatessens and convenience stores.
Private Label
Products manufactured or packaged for sale under the brand name of a retailer or distributor rather than the producer.
Procurement
The process of sourcing and purchasing food products and ingredients for a business.
Provenance
The history and origin of a food product, often used to assure quality and authenticity.
Regional Specialties
Foods that are specific to a particular geographical area and are often associated with local traditions and flavors.
SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)
A unique identifier for each distinct product and service that can be purchased, helping in inventory management and tracking.
Seasonality
The practice of using ingredients that are in season, often resulting in better flavor and lower cost.
Shelf Life
The length of time that food products are considered suitable for sale, consumption, or use.
Sourcing
The process of finding and acquiring food products, ingredients, or other goods needed for business operations.
Sous Vide
A method of cooking in which food is vacuum-sealed in a plastic pouch and then cooked at a precise temperature in a water bath.
Supply Chain Management
The management of the flow of goods and services, including all processes that transform raw materials into final products.
B2B Marketplace Terms
API (Application Programming Interface)
A set of tools and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other, often used in B2B marketplaces for integrating various systems.
Account Management
The process of managing the relationship between a business and its customers, ensuring their needs are met and providing ongoing support.
Agricultural Marketing
The process of promoting and selling agricultural products, from production to the consumer, including pricing, distribution, and logistics.
B2B (Business-to-Business)
Transactions conducted between companies, such as between a manufacturer and a wholesaler, or between a wholesaler and a retailer.
B2C (Business-to-Consumer)
Transactions conducted between a company and consumers who are the end-users of its products or services.
Blockchain Technology
A decentralized digital ledger that records transactions across many computers in such a way that the registered transactions cannot be altered retroactively.
Buyer Consolidation
A logistics service where multiple buyers' orders are combined into a single shipment to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Buyer Persona
A semi-fictional representation of an ideal customer based on market research and real data about existing customers, used to tailor marketing efforts.
Buyer/Seller
Ratings A system that allows buyers and sellers to rate each other after a transaction, providing feedback and building trust within the marketplace.
Capacity Planning
The process of determining the production capacity needed by an organization to meet changing demands for its products.
Catalog Management
The process of organizing and maintaining a product catalog, ensuring accurate and up-to-date product information is available to buyers.
Channel Partner
A business or individual that partners with a B2B marketplace to sell products or services, often expanding the marketplace's reach.
Compliance
Adhering to laws, regulations, guidelines, and specifications relevant to business operations, particularly important in food safety and trade.
Contract Manufacturing
A form of outsourcing where a company contracts another to produce components or products, often used to reduce costs and increase production efficiency.
Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)
The cost associated with convincing a customer to buy a product or service, including marketing and sales expenses.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
A system for managing a company's interactions with current and potential customers, helping to streamline processes and improve customer relationships.
Customer Retention
Strategies and practices aimed at keeping existing customers engaged and continuing to purchase from a business.
Demand Forecasting
The process of making estimates about future customer demand using historical data and other information.
Digital Transformation
The integration of digital technology into all areas of a business, fundamentally changing how it operates and delivers value to customers.
Distribution Channel
The path through which goods and services travel from the vendor to the consumer, including wholesalers, retailers, distributors, and the internet.
Dropshipping
A retail fulfillment method where a store doesn't keep the products it sells in stock. Instead, it purchases the item from a third party and ships it directly to the customer.
Dynamic Pricing
A pricing strategy where prices are adjusted in real-time based on market demand, competition, and other factors.
E-Invoicing
The exchange of electronic billing information between businesses, which can improve efficiency and accuracy in processing transactions.
E-commerce Platform
An online solution that allows businesses to create and manage their own online store, including listing products, processing payments, and handling orders.
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)
The electronic exchange of business documents between organizations, streamlining transactions and reducing paperwork.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Integrated management of main business processes, often in real-time and mediated by software and technology.
Escrow Service
A third-party service that holds funds during a transaction until both the buyer and seller fulfill their contractual obligations, providing security for both parties.
Exclusive Distribution
A situation where a supplier grants exclusive rights to a distributor to sell its products in a specific territory or market.
Fulfillment Center
A warehouse where incoming orders are received, processed, and fulfilled by shipping products to customers.
Fulfillment Services
Services provided by a third party that handle the storage, packaging, and shipping of products on behalf of a business.
Geo-Fencing
A location-based service that uses GPS or RFID technology to create a virtual geographic boundary, enabling software to trigger a response when a mobile device enters or leaves a particular area.
Gross Margin
The difference between revenue and cost of goods sold, which can provide insight into the profitability of products.
Inbound Logistics
The process of managing and controlling the flow of goods, materials, and information from suppliers to manufacturing or production facilities.
Integrated Logistics
The coordination of all logistics functions, such as transportation, warehousing, and inventory management, to optimize efficiency and reduce costs.
Inventory Management
The supervision of non-capitalized assets (inventory) and stock items, ensuring the right quantity of products are available at the right time.
Inventory Turnover
A measure of how often inventory is sold and replaced over a certain period, indicating the efficiency of inventory management.
Just-In-Time (JIT)
Inventory A strategy that aligns raw-material orders from suppliers directly with production schedules to reduce inventory costs.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Metrics used to evaluate success in achieving business objectives, often used in B2B marketplaces to measure performance and efficiency.
Last Mile Delivery
The final step of the delivery process from a distribution center or facility to the end-user, crucial for customer satisfaction.
Lead Generation
The process of identifying and cultivating potential customers for a business's products or services.
Lead Time
The amount of time that passes from the start of a process until its completion, important for planning and scheduling.
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
The smallest quantity of a product that a supplier is willing to sell, often used to ensure profitability.
Market Penetration
The extent to which a product or service is known and used by customers in a particular market, indicating the success of marketing efforts.
Market Segmentation
The process of dividing a broad consumer or business market into sub-groups based on shared characteristics.
Marketplace Analytics
The use of data and analytics tools to track and analyze marketplace performance, helping to optimize operations and strategy.
Marketplace Commission
A fee charged by a B2B marketplace to sellers for using the platform to sell their products, usually a percentage of the sale price.
Merchant Account
A type of bank account that allows businesses to accept payments in multiple ways, typically credit or debit cards.
Multi-Channel Distribution
The use of multiple methods to distribute products, such as physical stores, online platforms, and direct sales.
Multi-Vendor Platform
A type of e-commerce platform that allows multiple sellers to list and sell their products, providing buyers with a wide range of options.
Order Fulfillment
The complete process from the point of sales inquiry to the delivery of a product to the customer.
Order Fulfillment Rate
The percentage of customer orders that are correctly filled and delivered on time, an important metric for customer satisfaction.
Order Management System (OMS)
Software that helps businesses track sales, orders, inventory, and fulfillment, ensuring smooth operations and customer satisfaction.
Outsourcing
The practice of using third parties to perform services that are traditionally performed in-house, such as production, logistics, or customer service.
Payment Gateway
A service that authorizes and processes payments for online and offline transactions, providing a secure way to transfer funds between buyers and sellers.
Payment Terms
The conditions under which a seller will complete a sale, typically specifying the period allowed to a buyer to pay off the amount due.
Personalization
Tailoring the shopping experience to individual users based on their preferences, behaviors, and purchase history.
Private Label Products
Products manufactured by one company for sale under another company's brand, often seen in retail and food industries.
Procurement Platform
An online system that streamlines the purchasing process for businesses, often integrating with suppliers to facilitate easy ordering and tracking.
Procurement Strategy
A plan for managing a company's purchasing activities, ensuring that it acquires goods and services at the best possible cost and quality.
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
The process of managing a product's development, from conception through design and manufacture, to service and disposal.
Production Scheduling
The process of planning and organizing the production activities to ensure efficient use of resources and timely completion of orders.
Purchase Order (PO)
A commercial document issued by a buyer to a seller, indicating the types, quantities, and agreed prices for products or services.
Quality Assurance (QA)
The maintenance of a desired level of quality in a service or product, especially by means of attention to every stage of the process of delivery or production.
Quotation Management
The process of creating, sending, and tracking quotations for potential buyers, helping to streamline the sales process.
RFQ (Request for Quotation)
A business process in which a company solicits quotes from suppliers for the purchase of specific products or services.
Reorder Point (ROP)
The inventory level at which an order should be placed to replenish stock before it runs out.
Returns Management
The process of handling returned goods, including restocking, refurbishing, and reselling, often important for maintaining customer satisfaction.
Reverse Logistics
The process of moving goods from their final destination for the purpose of return, repair, remanufacture, or recycling.
SKU Rationalization
The process of evaluating and optimizing the number of SKUs to improve inventory management and reduce complexity.
SaaS (Software as a Service)
A software licensing model in which access to the software is provided on a subscription basis, with the software centrally hosted.
Safety Stock
Extra inventory held to guard against uncertainty in demand or supply, ensuring that production can continue without interruption.
Sales Funnel
The process or journey that potential customers go through, from awareness to consideration to decision, before making a purchase.
Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP)
A process to align production and inventory with demand by integrating sales and production planning.
Scalability
The capability of a business to handle a growing amount of work or its potential to accommodate growth.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
The practice of optimizing online content to improve its visibility and ranking in search engine results pages.
Seasonal Demand
Fluctuations in demand for products or services that occur at certain times of the year, often requiring adjustments in production and inventory.
Shipping Carrier
A company that provides transportation of goods, such as freight, parcel, or courier services.
Shipping Terms
Conditions that define the responsibilities and liabilities of the buyer and seller regarding the delivery of goods.
Smart Contracts
Self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into code, often used in blockchain technology to facilitate, verify, or enforce contract negotiations.
Supplier Onboarding
The process of integrating a new supplier into a B2B marketplace, including verification, training, and setting up their profile and product listings.
Supply Chain Visibility
The ability to track and monitor all components of the supply chain, from production to delivery, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
Sustainable Sourcing
The practice of procuring products and materials in a way that takes into account environmental and social impacts, promoting sustainability.
Third-Party Logistics (3PL)
A service that allows businesses to outsource logistics and supply chain management functions, such as warehousing, transportation, and distribution.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
The purchase price of an asset plus the costs of operation, representing the complete cost of acquiring and operating a product over its lifespan.
Trade Credit
A type of commercial financing in which a buyer is allowed to purchase goods on account (without paying cash), paying the supplier at a later date.
Trade Show
An event where businesses in a particular industry showcase and demonstrate their products and services, often used for networking and generating leads.
Transaction Fee
A fee charged by a marketplace for processing transactions, typically a percentage of the sale price or a flat rate per transaction.
Turnkey Solution
A complete product or service that is ready for immediate use, typically involving a complete system provided by a single vendor.
User Experience (UX)
The overall experience of a person using a product, system, or service, especially in terms of how easy or pleasing it is to use.
Vendor Management
The process of overseeing and coordinating the activities of vendors, ensuring they meet performance standards and contractual obligations.
Warehouse Management System (WMS)
Software that supports the day-to-day operations in a warehouse, including inventory management, picking, packing, and shipping.
White Labeling
A business practice where one company produces goods or services that other companies rebrand to make it appear as if they had made it.
Wholesale Price
The price charged for large quantities of goods, typically to retailers or other businesses, who then sell the goods to consumers at a higher price.
Working Capital
The capital of a business that is used in its day-to-day trading operations, calculated as the current assets minus the current liabilities.
B2C Food Business Terms
Cart Abandonment
When a potential customer adds items to their online shopping cart but leaves the site without completing the purchase.
Click-and-Collect
A service that allows customers to order products online and pick them up at a physical location.
Customer Experience (CX)
The overall experience a customer has with a business, from initial contact through to purchase and after-sales service.
Customer Lifetime Value (CLV)
A prediction of the net profit attributed to the entire future relationship with a customer.
Direct-to-Consumer (D2C)
A business model where companies sell their products directly to consumers, bypassing third-party retailers or wholesalers.
Flash Sales
Short-term, heavily discounted sales events aimed at creating urgency and increasing sales in a limited time frame.
Loyalty Program
A rewards program offered by a company to customers who frequently make purchases, designed to encourage repeat business.
Omnichannel Retailing
A multichannel approach to sales that focuses on providing a seamless customer experience whether the client is shopping online, via mobile, or in a brick-and-mortar store.
Product Reviews
Customer feedback on purchased products, often displayed on product pages to help inform other potential buyers.
Subscription Model
A business model where customers pay a recurring price at regular intervals for access to a product or service.
User-Generated Content (UGC)
Content created by users of a platform, such as reviews, photos, and videos, which can be leveraged for marketing and building community.
Virtual Tasting
An online event where customers can taste products (often sent to them in advance) together via a live video platform, often used by food and beverage companies.
Digital Marketing Terms
A/B Testing
A method of comparing two versions of a webpage or app against each other to determine which one performs better.
Affiliate Marketing
A performance-based marketing strategy where a business rewards affiliates for each visitor or customer brought by the affiliate's marketing efforts.
Bounce Rate
The percentage of visitors to a website who navigate away from the site after viewing only one page.
Content Management System (CMS)
Software that allows users to create, edit, and manage website content without needing specialized technical knowledge.
Content Marketing
A marketing strategy focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience.
Conversion Rate
The percentage of visitors to a website who complete a desired action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.
Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
The process of increasing the percentage of website visitors who complete a desired action, such as making a purchase or filling out a form.
Cost Per Acquisition (CPA)
The cost associated with acquiring a new customer through various marketing channels.
Customer Segmentation
The practice of dividing a customer base into groups of individuals that are similar in specific ways, relevant to marketing.
Drip Campaign
A series of marketing emails sent out automatically on a schedule based on user actions or predetermined timelines.
Email Marketing
The use of email to promote products or services, build customer relationships, and encourage customer loyalty.
Engagement Rate
A metric that measures the level of interaction that a piece of content receives from its audience, such as likes, comments, and shares.
Geotargeting
The practice of delivering content or advertisements to users based on their geographic location.
Inbound Marketing
A strategy that focuses on attracting customers through relevant and helpful content and adding value at every stage in the customer's buying journey.
Influencer Marketing
A form of social media marketing involving endorsements and product placements from influencers - individuals who have a dedicated social following and are viewed as experts within their niche.
Influencers
Leveraging individuals with a large and engaged following to promote products or services.
Landing Page
A standalone web page created specifically for a marketing or advertising campaign, where visitors "land" after clicking on a link.
Lookalike Audience
A targeted group of individuals who are similar to an existing customer base, used in advertising to reach potential new customers.
Marketing Automation
Technology that manages marketing processes and multifunctional campaigns, across multiple channels, automatically.
Multi-Channel Marketing
The practice of using multiple channels to reach customers, such as email, social media, and search engines.
Organic Search
The process of earning traffic through unpaid or free listings in search engine results.
Pay-Per-Click (PPC)
An internet advertising model used to drive traffic to websites, where advertisers pay a publisher when the ad is clicked.
Remarketing
A strategy that involves targeting previous visitors to your site with tailored advertising messages.
Retargeting
A form of online advertising that targets users who have previously visited a website or interacted with a brand but did not convert into a customer.
Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
A digital marketing strategy used to increase a website's visibility in search engine results pages, typically through paid advertising.
Social Media Marketing
The use of social media platforms to connect with an audience to build a brand, increase sales, and drive website traffic.
Viral Marketing
A strategy that encourages individuals to pass on a marketing message to others, creating the potential for exponential growth in the message's exposure and influence.
Web Analytics
The measurement, collection, analysis, and reporting of web data to understand and optimize web usage.
Webinar
An online seminar or presentation that is conducted over the internet, often used for marketing and lead generation.