Retail·142·Added 2026-06-27

Peak

The eight weeks a year when annual leave is a myth and the phrase 'all hands' becomes literal.

What they actually mean

Christmas.

Heard in the wild

"We'll look at that after peak."

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Loss leader

A product sold at a deliberate loss to lure customers into a store, in the optimistic hope they will also buy a heavily marked-up velvet cushion.

"We’ll use the luxury hand soap as a loss leader to drive footfall to the homeware aisle."

Translation

We are giving away soap in the hope they buy a £400 brass giraffe.

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Give 110%

To put in more effort than seems mathematically possible, used to describe strong commitment.

"We need 110% this weekend."

Translation

Unpaid overtime, framed as spirit.

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Boots on the Ground

People physically doing the work on-site, as opposed to those directing from a distance.

"We need boots on the ground in store."

Translation

Someone else should drive there.

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