clicks-and-mortar

[ kliks-uhn-mawr-ter ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or denoting a company that does business on the internet and in traditional stores or offices.

clicks and mortar

adjective

1. making use of traditional trading methods in conjunction with internet trading C & M

Word History and Origins

Origin of clicks-and-mortar¹

First recorded in 1995–2000; on the model of earlier brick(s)‐and‐mortar ( def ), referring to physical buildings or sites

Word History and Origins

Origin of clicks-and-mortar¹

C20: pun on bricks and mortar , with click referring to the computing sense

Example Sentences

Trouble is, his top two rivals from last year--Amazon.com and Toys "R" Us--have since teamed up in a classic clicks-and-mortar partnership.

From Time Magazine Archive

The key to long-term success for the clicks-and-mortar players will be close integration between their online and offline operations, like the in-store kiosks that promote beauty retailer Sephora's website.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Clicks-and-mortar has a lot of inherent advantages," says Seema Williams, e-commerce analyst at Forrester Research.

From Time Magazine Archive

Nonetheless, Toys "R" Us and fellow clicks-and-mortar player KB Toys are putting enough shoulder behind their online brands to make them e-players.

From Time Magazine Archive

The changes move Wal-Mart closer to the "clicks-and-mortar" approach to e-tailing.

From Time Magazine Archive