Shrinkage
Stock that has left the building without paying, accounted for as a weather event.
What they actually mean
Theft.
Heard in the wild
"Shrinkage is up 3% in the flagship."
More from Retail
Retail30
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.
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.
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.