Region: General | Usage example: The brick-and-mortar shop closed late, but online sales flourished.

Brick and mortar

Meaning

Physical businesses with real-world locations.

Used when distinguishing physical stores from digital ones.

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Literal bricks and mortar used in construction.

Used since industrial retail expansion to differentiate storefronts.