Divisions Of Commerce (Business Studies)

Meaning of Commerce and Trade

Trade refers specifically to the buying and selling of goods and services. It involves the exchange of things of value between two or more parties.

Commerce is a broader term that includes all activities related to the buying and selling of goods and services. It encompasses the entire system and infrastructure that supports trade.

SEE ALSO: Meaning of Commerce (Full introduction)

Divisions of Trade

1. Home trade
2. Foreign trade

Home Trade

Home trade happens inside a country. It involves buying and selling goods and services only within that country’s borders. Home trade uses the country’s own money and languages. It does not cross the border to other countries.

Home trade is divided into wholesale trade and retail trade.

1. Wholesale Trade

Wholesale trade involves buying large amounts of goods from manufacturers. Wholesalers are the traders that buy in bulk from manufacturers. Wholesalers then sell smaller amounts to other traders called retailers.

So the business chain goes: Manufacturer – Wholesaler – Retailer – Customer

2. Retail Trade

Retailers buy large amounts of goods from wholesalers or directly from manufacturers. Retailers then sell smaller amounts of the goods to final customers. For example, a retailer might buy cartons of candy from a wholesaler. The retailer then sells the candy in small packets to customers in a shop.

Examples of goods in home trade are biscuits, sweets, soap, noodles, bread, cars, electronics, etc.

Foreign Trade

Foreign trade is trade between one country and other countries. It crosses borders and involves different currencies and languages. For example, Nigeria buys cars, machines, electronics etc. from other countries. Nigeria sells cocoa, oil, cotton and other goods to other countries. Foreign trade is also called international or external trade.

Types of Foreign Trade

Foreign trade has three main types – import, export and entrepôt trade.

Import Trade

Import means bringing goods and services into a country from another country. Imports are paid for with currency or trading. Examples are imported shoes, cars, electronics etc. Imported services like technical advice and education are also paid for.

Export Trade

Export means selling a country’s own goods and services to another country. Countries encourage exports to earn foreign money and pay for imports. Examples of Nigerian exports are oil, coal, cocoa, fruit products. Nigeria also exports services like electricity and education.

Entrepôt Trade

Entrepôt trade involves importing goods from one country and re-exporting them to another country for sale. For example, goods from Japan are imported into Nigeria and then exported to Cameroon for sale.

Differences between Home trade and Foreign trade