Which inventory term would describe merchandise that is actively being sold in a store?

The term that best describes merchandise that is actively being sold in a store is "On-hand Inventory." This term specifically refers to the items that are physically present in the store and available for customers to purchase at that time. On-hand inventory is crucial for retailers to keep track of what products are in stock, as this influences customer satisfaction and sales performance.

The other options refer to different concepts in inventory management. Safety stock pertains to extra inventory kept on hand to prevent stockouts due to uncertainties in demand or supply chain disruptions. Closed-ended inventory is not a standard term used in retail inventory management, which can lead to confusion. Total inventory or retail inventory would encompass all items in stock, including those not currently being sold, so it does not specifically indicate the merchandise actively available for immediate sale. Thus, "On-hand Inventory" is the most accurate and relevant term in this context.