bricks and mortar

English

Alternative forms

• brick and mortar, brick-and-mortar, bricks-and-mortar

Noun

bricks and mortar (uncountable)

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

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