The Roots of Retail
The word retail comes from the 13^th C. French word “tailler”, which means "to cut off, clip, pare, divide". It was first recorded as a noun with the meaning of a "sale in small quantities". Ironically tailors also cut or sculpt individual clothing, the kind of personalization that retailing cannot provide. Originally tailor shops made everything on premise, but after the manufacturing era started in the early 18th century, the idea of altering or re-tailoring a readily made suit “size” was created and hence the word re-tailors also seem to fit. Also interestingly enough the word size comes from the term assize that was a judgment or verdict usually or verdict or finding rendered by the jury.

As the fit of a garment would demand some judgment from the buyer or even the onlookers. Early tailors had mixed feelings on ready-mades. On one hand they were lowering standards of fit but on the other a convenience for hasty customers. The loss of some 10,000 estimated tailors in Europe’s wars further prompted the loss of tailoring standards of fit and the convenience of no tailoring.  This also led to the strength of consumer brands, sales clearances and more compromises to the “wor-shoppers” of manufactured and advertised brands. What would be missing is the service providing consumers with values and valuable information on “how to appear”.