Foods For Trade
Food Industry Definitions

Click on the letter below to view a list of all terms in the glossary beginning with that letter.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


rackA floor or counter display unit with shelves and hooks for merchandise.
rack jobberA wholesaler or vendor that orders and delivers product and services a non-food department in a food store on a contract basis, e.g., health and beauty care (HBC).
railcarA railroad car.
raincheckA chit that stores give customers for sales items that are sold out. It allows the customer to return at a later date and purchase the item at the sale price.
random weightPerishable, bulk products priced and sold by the pound. Also called variable weight.
RBARetailer's Bakery-Deli Association (formerly, Retail Bakers of America).
RDARetail display allowance.
RDIReference daily intake.
reach-in caseA refrigerated display case with a self-service door used for perishable products.
ready-to-eat (RTE)A product designed and processed to be consumed at the time of opening the package.
rebateAn advertising allowance or refund that reduces a retail price for a product if a customer mails a proof-of-purchase. See floor stock.
rebuyerA person in a distributor's organization responsible for routine reorders of product.
receivableSee account receivable.
receiverAn authorized associate of a warehouse or retail store who receives and checks deliveries for condition and an accurate amount. The first handler of the delivery receipt or invoice.
receivingA door or dock of a warehouse or store designated for receiving merchandise from a supplier. The procedure for physically and legally accepting a shipment of product.
receiving clerkSee receiver.
receiving doorSee receiving.
receiving logThe record or listing of products received with appropriate entries.
reclaimed goodsUnsalable product at the time of delivery that is returned to a wholesaler/vendor for reclamation.
reclamation centerA distribution center department that sorts and processes damaged or outdated products, sent by stores, for reimbursements.
reconditionTo repair or restore a product's appearance, e.g., trimming, re-crisping, taping on labels or other method.
reconstitution programA bakery shrink program that makes efficient use of unsold products.
redemptionTo cash coupons or return bottles to obtain money or discounts.
redemption centerA manufacturer's clearinghouse for coupon reimbursements.
reduced productAn item reduced in price for quick sale that must be sold by the indicated date or properly discarded.
reeferA refrigerated trailer used to ship perishable products.
reference daily intake (RDI)The standardized daily vitamin and mineral intake needed by the average adult diet.
refrigerated case linerA disposable sheet placed under Vexar, which helps keep a case clean and aids in housekeeping.
refundA consumer promotion in which the purchase of a product entitles a consumer to a cash refund, a discount or a coupon good for a discount on a next purchase.
refund offerA manufacturer's promotion that reimburses a customer for all or part of a product's retail price with a proof-of-purchase.
regional chainA group of retail stores owned and operated by the same company, and located in the same area of the country.
registerA cash register that adds up the sales of goods, holds money, and provides a display of the sales for the customer.
register balanceTo verify a cashier's till amount against the register reading.
regular stockNormal inventory carried to maintain store conditions and sales volume. See authorized stock item; overstock.
related itemsProducts consumed or used together, e.g., wine and cheese. See related item tie-in.
related item tie-inMerchandising compatible products together that are often consumed or used together to encourage the sale of both items, e.g., pie shells and canned fillings, tortilla chips and salsa. See cross-merchandising.
remodelTo modify or enlarge a retail store or department, i.e., expansion, new equipment, new sign package.
reorder pointThe inventory level established to trigger a buyer's replenishment order.
repackTo use loose items to make up a case of products.
repeatA customer's repeat purchase of a product.
repsManufacturer's representatives, food brokers or vendors selling products on commission.
resale price maintenanceUsing a manufacturer's suggested price as the retail price.
reserve stockProduct that is not on display and is instead stored in the cooler, freezer or back room.
resetTo totally remerchandise a category or department according to a planogram.
restockTo fill or replenish a product to the normal stock level.
restricted itemsProducts restricted from sale in a state or location and sold legally in another state.
retail audit systemA retail computer system that tracks and analyzes store conditions, e.g., pricing, stock levels, out-of-stocks.
retail cooperativeA group of retailers that purchase, warehouse and advertise together to achieve economies of scale.
retail display allowance (RDA)Monies paid by a manufacturer to have their products on display, usually in a certain location.
retail representativeA manufacturer's marketing employee that provides services to retailers, including promotional deals, ordering, merchandising techniques, etc.
retail unitThe typical product size offered for sale.
retail valueA product's regular retail price.
retailerA store owner or operator who sells products directly to customers, sets or implements retail policies and procedures and is responsible for store conditions and profitability.
retailer-controlled brandsBrands and/or private label products exclusively sold by a retailer in a market area.
retailer-owned wholesale grocerSee co-op wholesaler.
Retailer's Bakery Association (RBA)(formerly, Retail Bakers of America) 14239 Park Center Dr. Laurel, MD 20707 (301) 725-2149
retailers' service programA wholesaler's marketing program designed to assist retailers with economies of scale resembling a chain operation, e.g., advertising, deal promotions, merchandising.
retarderThe equipment into which dough is placed and allowed to thaw or slack out. Conditions must be controlled to 36 degrees to 38 degrees and 80 percent relative humidity.
return on assets (ROA)A ratio in dollars of a company's net profit in relation to its net worth, calculated by dividing the company's net profit after taxes by its net worth.
return on equityEarnings divided by net assets.
return on inventory investment (ROII)A performance index that identifies the number of dollars returned each year for each dollar invested in inventory. Calculated by dividing total gross profit dollars by the cost of the average inventory on hand. It relates profits to the money used to pro
return on investment (ROI)The total gross profit that one dollar, initially invested in inventory as it is depleted, will return during a period of time. Computed by dividing the total Gross Profit generated by the item by the amount of the initial investment in inventory.
returnsUnsold, damaged, or defective merchandise sent to a supplier or distributor for credit or refund.
returns (to warehouse)An authorization by the warehouse to return merchandise on a certain date indicated.
reworkPerishables: To crisp or trim a product that looks case- worn. Grocery: To re-affix labels. To refine a category or shelf set.
re-wrapsProducts that are removed, reconditioned (if salable) and displayed with limited sell- by dates.
RFRadio frequency.
ribbonA shelf merchandising technique of arranging size, color, flavor and/or brand vertically on a shelf. See billboard.
ringScanning a product or tabulating a retail price on a register system.
ring upTo scan and complete a customer's transaction at the front end.
riserA shelf that extends above the normal top shelf to give a higher profile.
ROAReturn on assets.
Robinson-Patman Act (1936)Federal legislation that prohibits discrimination through price discounts, special terms or services, or other means, e.g., false brokerage payments; promotion allowances for certain customers.
roccalA chlorine-based agent to sanitize sink and food preparation areas.
ROIReturn on investment.
ROIIReturn on inventory investment.
roll-outA marketing campaign to introduce a new product.
rollerA conveyer that moves merchandise cases.
rolling stoneA food store on wheels from which a retailer sells merchandise house-to-house. Usually found in rural areas.
rotationA shelf-stocking procedure that ensures first-in, first-out by pulling older stock forward and placing newer stock at the back during restocking. See stock rotation.
rotation listA manufacturer's marketing process of featuring certain products at the same time each year.
rotisserieA rotating grill with an electrically turned spit that cooks meats.
roto (rotogravure)A colorful; circular that advertises a retailer's featured sale items, included inside a newspaper or delivered directly to homes.
roto adA corporate level ad generated for an entire company and distributed throughout a trade area, e.g., newspaper, home delivery.
rotogravureSee roto.
route listA daily list of retail stores on a delivery schedule.
rowsSee facings.
R-T-EReady-to-eat.

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