Sölustaði

Sölustaði is an Icelandic term used for a place where goods or services are offered for sale to the public. The singular form is sölustaður and the plural is sölustaði. It covers a broad range of sale points, including permanent shops, kiosks, market stalls, and other locations where commerce takes place. The emphasis is on the location rather than the business model, and it can refer to fixed premises as well as temporary setups such as pop-up stalls or seasonal market kiosks. The concept is widely used in everyday language as well as in administrative or regulatory contexts to describe where sales occur.

Etymology: The word combines selja, “to sell,” with staður, “place.” The compound literally means “a place of selling.”

Usage and context: In everyday Icelandic, sölustaður describes the site of a sale—for example a farmers’ market stall, a street vendor, a shop counter, or a vending tent. In law or municipal regulations, it can denote a licensed selling point or the designated premises for a retail operation, including temporary pitches at fairs and markets.

Examples: At a festival, individual sölustaði may sell food, crafts, or clothing. In a shopping centre, information desks or kiosks can also be described as sölustaði.

Related terms: markaður (market), verslun (shop/retail), söluaðili (seller).