卸売り

• Reading: おろしうり
• Romaji: oroshiuri
• Kanji breakdown: 卸 (sha/oroshi) — wholesale, to put down; 売 (bai/u) — sell
• Pronunciation: /o.ɾo.ɕi.ɯ.ɾi/

Meaning

Wholesale; the selling of goods in large quantities to retailers or businesses rather than directly to individual consumers.

A noun used attributively (卸売り価格 — wholesale price, 卸売り業者 — wholesaler). In the supply chain, wholesalers act as intermediaries between manufacturers and retailers. Japan's distribution system has traditionally involved multiple layers of wholesalers (多段階流通). Contrasted with 小売り (retail — selling directly to end consumers). The rise of D2C models has challenged the traditional 卸売り structure.

Examples

1. 卸売り市場で仕入れた新鮮な野菜をレストランに卸している。 We supply fresh vegetables purchased at the wholesale market to restaurants.
2. 卸売り価格は小売価格の約60%が相場だ。 The going rate for wholesale prices is around 60% of the retail price.
3. 消費者への直接販売が普及し、卸売りの中間マージンが問われるようになった。 As direct-to-consumer sales have become widespread, the intermediate margins charged by wholesalers have come under scrutiny.

Usage Guide

Context: business, retail, supply chain, distribution

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 卸 (oroshi — wholesale, to lower or put down in bulk) and 売り (uri — selling). The 卸 character historically related to moving goods from a higher distribution point to a lower one at bulk rates.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Business professionals