What is difference between shop=tiles and shop=trade trade=tiles? trade=timber vs shop=timber? etc

https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Tag:shop%3Dtiles

https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Tag:shop%3Dtrade

Is there any difference at all between shop=tiles and shop=trade trade=tiles?

Based on usage it seems that tile shops are popular enough that they are tagged with dedicated shop value.


But what about say shop=timber vs shop=trade trade=timber where situation is reverse?

Would it make sense to give up on shop=trade trade=tiles but try to use for new rare shop types fitting shop=trade - use shop=trade trade= rather new shop value?

For example shop selling safety equipment, especially firefighting equipment - would it be better as

shop=trade trade=safety_equipment safety_equipment=firefighting

or

shop=safety_equipment safety_equipment=firefighting

?

Grouping some shop values under shop=trade trade= could be useful as various tools may support shop=trade in general, with optional handling of trade= rather than having no choice and just having much more shop=values.


How many shop types are needed - or shop=firewood vs shop=fuel fuel=wood was on very similar topic

Good question, but I don’t have a very good answer I’m afraid :slight_smile:

perhaps, shop=trade is to be preferred for shops which are mostly geared towards particular companies instead towards endusers? As an enduser, I’d look for shop=furniture to buy new wooden table from company selling furniture. But that company where I’d buy the table will be the one buying raw material from shop=trade + trade=timber.

I’d go same way with tiles - rarely will the enduser endeavor into learning a trade, buying tiles and tile glue and tile cutters and dust protection mask and spacers and equipment for flattening and making sure the tiles are perfectly horizontal etc. Sure it happens sometimes, but mostly they’ll buy both the installing service and tiles themselves from same company i.e. craft=tiler (who would then go and buy raw material from shop=trade+trade=tiles).

But sometimes it is true that enduser might go and buy tiles themselves elsewhere (shop=trade or shop=tiles - it’s confusing that there are two. That duplication is the disadvantage of having several different keys for shops I guess), and then find different craft=tiler to do the job.

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For now used it on Node: ‪MAT-POŻ‬ (‪10779618720‬) | OpenStreetMap and I plan to document this values on wiki.

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The essential difference is between b2c (business to consumer) and b2b (business to business). Some specialist retailers (tiles, plumbing supplies, do-it-yourself, kitchens) may serve both types of business and will have a “Trade counter”, either within the shop or with a separate entrance. There are a few which are hard to place, Screwfix is a good example in the UK, selling a wide range of “do-it-yourself” supplies, but much more aimed at the trade market. Other firms may actually sell predominantly to the trade, but maintain a shop/showroom because the actual purchasing decision (type, quality etc) will be made by the end customer (Porcelanosa is a good example).

A shop is more likely to allow the customer to wander around and select items from the shelves, whereas a trade counter more typically is just that a counter where goods are ordered and then collected either at the counter or at a loading point. Trade businesses usually offer tradesmen specific financial terms: usually an account payable monthly. This allows goods to be bought according to need, but the invoice is settled often after the tradesman has received payment from their own customer.

Note that “DIY”, bricolage, etc. is popular in many European countries, and many individuals can be highly competent at various skilled tasks such as laying tiles, plumbing or electrical work. I’d particularly draw attention to the adage “that every Belgian is born with a brick in their stomach” showing the popularity of self-build in that country.

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