Goods

Definition

goods

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.

Durable goods definition

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]

Nondurable goods are products purchased for “immediate” consumption and generally have a life span ranging from a few seconds up to three years.  Examples include food and beverages, clothing, personal care items, small electronic devices, and gasoline. Note that some nondurable goods, like clothes and electronics, may be used for more than three years.

Soft goods are a subclass of nondurable goods that have a textile base. Examples include clothing and bedding.

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]

Unsought goods refers to goods which the consumer does not seek, either from lack of awareness or lack of interest in the particular attributes it has. Because most products are both sought and unsought by different persons, this category is not part of the basic classification of goods.

See Also

Industrial products
White goods

References

  1. American Marketing Association, AMA Dictionary.
  2. Common Language in Marketing Project, 2021.
  3. Merriam-Webster Dictionary, merriam-webster.com.
  4. Internal Revenue Service; Smallwares, irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/smallwares.
  5. Govoni, N.A. Dictionary of Marketing Communications, Sage Publications. (2004)

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