Unit 8 The tertiary sector

Unit 8The tertiary sector

The tertiary sector or service sector of the economy refers to activities which do not directly produce tangible goods, but provide services to satisfy peoples wants and needs

Some of these services are: Transport, trade, tourism, health, education, administration, cultural activities.

In developed countries, this is the main sector: Most of workers are employed by the tertiary sector.1. THE TERTIARY SECTOR2. TRADE2.1. Domestic tradeIt takes place inside a country and provides the public with goods.

Two types:Wholesale: A company buys products in large quantities directly from the producer and sells them to small shopkeepers. (Mercalen, Mercaolid)Small trade or retail: It buys small quantities of products from a wholesaler and sells them to consumers.

So, the usual shopping circuit is:

ProducerWholesalerSmall traderConsumerSmall or traditional shopsSmall establishment with one or two shop assistants. They are usually specialised in some articles (shoes, fruits,...)

A medium-sized establishment that sells a different products. (Mainly food)

Supermarket

A large establishment that sells a variety of products.

Hypermarket

It sells a wide variety of products in specialised departments. They have shop assistants.

Department store

A large building with small specialised shops. It usually has restaurants, cinemas and a hypermarket.

Shopping centre

The buyer selects the product and receives it at home

Sale by mail order, telephone or Internet

Sellers put up stalls and offer their products for sale in the street.

Street markets

It is the exchange of products and services between different countries. It consists of:Imports: Products or services one country buys from another country.Exports: Products or services one country sells to another country.

These exchanges are registered on the balance of payments, a document that shows the income and expenses from trading goods, services and the capital exchanges between countries.It includes the merchandise trade account: Document that shows the value of a countrys imports and exports of products. It can be positive, negative or balanced.

2.2. Foreign trade

Transport moves people and goods from one place to another. There are various forms of transport, which use the transport network.

3. TRANSPORT17Road transport

Road junctionRail transport

River transportSea transport

Air transportIt refers to trips that people take for recreation from the place where they live to another place for a limited period of time. They must spend at least one night away from home.

4. TOURISM

5. MEDIA6. THE IMPACT OF THE TERTIARY SECTOR