cashandcarry

Cash-and-carry is a form of wholesale retailing in which buyers pay for goods at the time of purchase and transport the goods away from the store themselves. The format emphasizes high-volume, low-cost operations, with a warehouse-style layout and limited customer service. It is designed to offer basic, widely used goods at lower unit prices by reducing credit terms and handling costs.

Typical customers are professional buyers such as small retailers, restaurants, caterers, and other businesses that purchase goods in bulk for resale or use in operations. Product ranges commonly include food and beverages, cleaning and paper supplies, packaging, kitchen equipment, hardware, and other consumables. The stores often operate with minimal services and limited on-site assistance, focusing on quick, efficient transactions.

Origin and spread: The cash-and-carry model developed in the mid-20th century as wholesalers sought to cut credit risk and service costs. It has since become a common format in many countries, sometimes operated by independent wholesalers and, in other markets, by global or regional chains that specialize in wholesale, self-service distribution.

Relation to other formats: Cash-and-carry stores differ from conventional retail by prioritizing bulk sales and cash transactions over credit facilities and extensive customer service. They may also differ from warehouse clubs by target audience and pricing structure, though some operators blend elements of both models.

Digital evolution: In recent years, some cash-and-carry operators have added online catalogs, pre-orders, and delivery or scheduled pickup to complement the traditional self-serve model, expanding access for business customers.