Economics and commerce define an end-user as the person who uses a product. Economics is the social science that studies the production distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Commerce is a division of trade or production which deals with the exchange of goods and services from producer to final consumer In Marketing, a product is anything that can be offered to a Market that might satisfy a want or need The end-user or consumer may differ from the customer, who might buy the product, but doesn't necessarily use it; for example, a zookeeper, the customer, might purchase elephant food for an end-user: the elephant. Consumers refers to individuals or households that use goods and services generated within the economy. A customer is someone who makes use of the paid products of an individual or Organization. A zookeeper is a worker in a Zoo, responsible for the feeding and daily care of the Animals As part of their routine they clean the exhibits and report health Elephants ( family: Elephantidae) are large land Mammals of the order Proboscidea. Pet food is typically sold in Pet stores and Supermarkets It is usually specific to the type of Pet (such as Dog food or Cat food)

In contracts, the term 'end-user' becomes a legal construct referring to a non-reseller. A reseller is a company or individual that purchases goods or services with the intention of reselling them rather than consuming or using them This definition characterises the store the zookeeper bought food from as a non-end-user, but the zookeeper as an end-user. This legal construct most often appears in End User License Agreements, also known as EULAs.