The verb ""consign"" means "to send" and therefore the noun ""consignment"" means "sending goods to another person". In the case of ""retail consignment"" or ""sales consignment"" (often just referred to as a "consignment"), goods are sent to the agent for the purpose of sale. The ownership of these goods remains with the sender. The agent sells the goods on behalf of the sender according to instructions. The sender of goods is known as the ""consignor"" and the agent entrusted with the custody and care of the goods is known as the ""consignee"".