Definition
Goods are products that have a tangible, physical form (in contrast to services, which are intangible). [1]
Brown goods refers to merchandise in the consumer electronic audiovisual field, such as televisions, radios, stereo sets, etc. The name came from the brown (furniture color) cases in which such merchandise was historically manufactured. At one time, brown goods also included all furniture.
Appliances are considered durable goods.
Brown goods is also used in a different connotation within other categories. For example, in the alcoholic beverage industry, it’s often used as a collective designation for spirits such as bourbon, scotch whiskey and cognac. [2]
Durable goods (or hard goods) are products with a life span of at least three years. Examples include furniture, personal computers, jewelry, appliances, and motor vehicles. [1][5]
Piece goods (or yard goods) are cloth fabrics sold from the bolt at retail in lengths specified by the customer. [3]
Smallwares generally consist of the following categories: glassware, flatware, dinnerware, pots and pans, table top items, bar supplies, food preparation utensils and tools, storage supplies, service items and small appliances. [4]
References
- American Marketing Association, AMA Dictionary.
- Common Language in Marketing Project, 2021.
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary, merriam-webster.com.
- Internal Revenue Service; Smallwares, irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/smallwares.
- Govoni, N.A. Dictionary of Marketing Communications, Sage Publications. (2004)