Crossword Genius

Auctions small beers (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sales

'auctions' is the definition.
(auction is a type of sale)

'small beers' is the wordplay.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'beers' becomes 'ales' (ale is a type of beer).
's'+'ales'='SALES'

(Other definitions for sales that I've seen before include "Business department - retail events" , "Periods of price reductions" , "Public auctions" , "Marketing" , "Periods when shops sell goods at discounted prices, bargain times" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express and The Mirror.
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