brick and mortar

alternative brick-and-mortar · alternative bricks and mortar · alternative bricks-and-mortar

1. not comparablebusinessBuildings and property for the conduct of business, particularly in the sale of retail goods to the general public. (Used to contrast an Internet-based sales operation that lacks customer-oriented store fronts and a "traditional" one for which most capital investment might be in the building infrastructure.)First known use mid-1990s

   Brick and mortar retail stores face online competition.

   1 more example

   E-commerce is not the kiss of death for big, traditional brick-and-mortar business.

   2000, Judy Kong, in a report on the ICE Conference, "Non Traditional Clicks and Mortar Businesses: (Dinosaurs) Learn to Fly"

2. not comparableUsed other than figuratively or idiomatically: see brick, and, mortar.

   Synonyms: physical, traditional, old-fashioned

alternative brick-and-mortar · alternative bricks and mortar · alternative bricks-and-mortar

1. UKuncountableBuildings, especially domestic housing.
2. uncountableUsed other than figuratively or idiomatically: see brick, and, mortar.