bricks and clicks: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Business/E-commerce
Quick answer
What does “bricks and clicks” mean?
A business model that combines physical stores ('bricks') and online sales ('clicks').
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A business model that combines physical stores ('bricks') and online sales ('clicks').
An integrative retail strategy leveraging the advantages of both offline physical presence and online e-commerce platforms.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. Both varieties use the same phrase. Spelling of 'clicks' vs 'cliques' is a potential but rare spelling error.
Connotations
Identical connotations of modern, adaptable retail strategy. Positive in business contexts.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in US business media due to larger e-commerce market, but well-established in UK business lexicon.
Grammar
How to Use “bricks and clicks” in a Sentence
[Company] is a bricks and clicks [retailer].[Adopting/Implementing] a bricks and clicks model.The [strategy] of bricks and clicks.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bricks and clicks” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The retailer is bricks-and-clicksing its operations.
- They plan to bricks-and-clicks within two years.
American English
- The company is bricks-and-clicksing its approach.
- We need to bricks-and-clicks to stay competitive.
adverb
British English
- The firm operates bricks and clicks.
- They sell bricks and clicks.
American English
- They run the business bricks and clicks.
- We trade bricks and clicks.
adjective
British English
- They adopted a bricks-and-clicks strategy.
- A leading bricks-and-clicks retailer.
American English
- It's a bricks-and-clicks business model.
- Their bricks-and-clicks approach is paying off.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The dominant context. Refers to companies integrating physical and digital sales channels.
Academic
Used in business studies, marketing, and retail management literature.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation unless discussing shopping or business news.
Technical
Specific to e-commerce, retail logistics, and business strategy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bricks and clicks”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bricks and clicks”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bricks and clicks”
- Miswriting as 'bricks and clicks' (incorrect spelling).
- Using it as a verb ('to bricks and clicks').
- Confusing it with 'clicks and mortar', which is a less common variant.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, small businesses can also adopt this model, for example, by having a local shop and also selling on Etsy or Amazon.
It refers to the mouse clicks a customer makes when shopping on a website or app.
Yes, 'clicks and mortar' is a less common synonym with identical meaning. 'Bricks and clicks' is the more standard form.
Yes, it is commonly used attributively (before a noun), often hyphenated: e.g., 'a bricks-and-clicks retailer'.
A business model that combines physical stores ('bricks') and online sales ('clicks').
Bricks and clicks is usually business/e-commerce in register.
Bricks and clicks: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbrɪks ən(d) ˈklɪks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbrɪks ən(d) ˈklɪks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not primarily an idiom, but the phrase itself is a fixed compound.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a shop made of BRICKS, but to buy something, you CLICK your mouse.
Conceptual Metaphor
BUSINESS IS A STRUCTURE (bricks) + BUSINESS IS A DIGITAL ACTION (clicks).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary advantage of a 'bricks and clicks' model?