What are dry goods?

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Dry goods are non-durable products with a limited shelf life, originally referring to textiles but now including other items. They are considered sundries and can be found in departments of major retailers.

As part of the range of products known as soft or non-durable goods, dry goods are products that do not require special storage, but are thought to have a limited shelf life. In general, these assets are not expected to last more than three years. The term was originally coined to refer to various types of textile products, but has come to include other items as well.

While dry goods are considered a form of soft or non-durable goods, it is important to note that not all non-durable goods are dry. For example, products that are normally transported to a hardware store might have a shelf life of less than three years, but would not be considered dry goods. Similarly, most items carried in a grocery store would not be classified this way, even if they meet the criteria for classification as non-alcoholic products.

Dry goods are also generally considered to be what are known as sundries. Basically, sundries are items that have a limited shelf life, tend to be on the small side, and don’t require any special sort of storage to remain useful during that relatively short life span. Miscellaneous items may include items such as writing paper or most other types of paper products.

In its original usage, dry goods referred to textile products. Many of the department stores of yesteryear carried a line of non-durable goods that included bolts of fabric that could be used to create everything from dresses to bedspreads to curtains. Over time, ready-to-wear garments have become dry goods. A general store is likely to carry men’s workwear and women’s clothing that is considered appropriate clothing for daywear. In addition to outerwear, goods of this type also included undergarments and nightwear for people of all ages and genders.

Today, many major discount retailers include departments dedicated to selling various types of dry goods. Where once the department store had a small section that carried towels, bolts of material and a limited line of ready-to-wear clothing, modern retailers usually have specific sections or departments for menswear, womenswear, bath fabrics , bed linen and household items in general fabrics such as curtains, curtains and tablecloths. Many of the larger retailers also maintain a sewing department which carries a wide variety of bolts of fabric, enabling people who wish to create their own stylized clothing or homewares using various types of fabric.




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