Have you ever felt like a fish out of water in an English-speaking store, unable to find the right words? Just like selecting the perfect item in a store, picking the right words in English can make your shopping experience more enjoyable and successful. English collocations, common combinations of words that native speakers often use, can be your secret weapon to feel confident and at ease. Are you ready to add these to your language shopping basket?
Let’s dive into a list of 33 must-know collocations connected with shopping:
1. Bargain hunting: Looking for products that are good value for money.
Example: He loves bargain hunting at thrift stores.
2. Retail therapy: The act of shopping in order to improve mood or mental state.
Example: After a stressful week, she decided to indulge in some retail therapy.
3. Price tag: The label on an item for sale showing its price.
Example: The dress she liked had a hefty price tag.
4. Shop assistant: The person who helps customers in a shop.
Example: The shop assistant helped me find the right size.
5. High-street brands: Brands that are moderately priced and therefore widely available to the general public.
Example: She prefers high-street brands over luxury ones.
6. Shopping spree: A short period of time during which someone buys a lot of things.
Example: She went on a shopping spree during the sales.
7. Sale season: The period when most shops have sales.
Example: You can get good discounts during the sale season.
8. Window shopping: Looking at goods in shop windows without intending to buy anything.
Example: We spent the afternoon window shopping in the city center.
9. Special offer: A product sold at a reduced price.
Example: They have a special offer on kitchen appliances this week.
10. Impulse buy: A purchase made without planning in response to an immediate desire to have it.
Example: I regret that impulse buy; I didn’t really need another pair of shoes.
11. Checkout counter: The place where you pay in a supermarket or store.
Example: There was a long queue at the checkout counter.
12. Discount voucher: A piece of paper that you can use to buy goods at a lower price.
Example: I have a discount voucher for that bookstore.
13. Bulk purchase: The purchase of much larger quantities than usual, often at a reduced price.
Example: Making a bulk purchase of toilet paper can save money in the long run.
14. Shopping list: A list of items to be bought.
Example: I always make a shopping list before going to the supermarket.
15. Shopping cart: A small vehicle that you push around a store, putting the things that you want to buy in it.
Example: Her shopping cart was full of fresh vegetables and fruits.
16. Store opening hours: The times when a shop is open for business.
Example: The store opening hours are from 9 am to 9 pm.
17. Online shopping: The act of buying products or services over the Internet.
Example: Online shopping is very convenient.
18. Customer service: The assistance and advice provided by a company to people who buy or use its products or services.
Example: They are known for their excellent customer service.
19. Product review: An evaluation of a product, such as a review of a movie, video game, music album, book; a hardware assessment; or a review of a vehicle, appliance, home device, or tool.
Example: I usually read product reviews before making a purchase.
20. Flash sale: A sale of goods at greatly reduced prices, lasting for only a short period of time.
Example: I got this dress in a flash sale.
21. Shopping mall: A large enclosed building complex containing a variety of shops and often restaurants.
Example: There are several shopping malls in our city.
22. Fitting room: A small room in a shop where you can try on clothes.
Example: He’s waiting in the fitting room to try on the shirts.
23. Price comparison: The practice of comparing prices in advance of actually shopping in order to achieve the best deals and pricing on merchandise and services.
Example: Doing a price comparison can help you save money.
24. Layaway plan: A system of paying a deposit to secure an item for later purchase.
Example: The store offers a layaway plan for more expensive items.
25. Final sale: A sale of goods at reduced prices where goods cannot be returned.
Example: Be careful with final sale items as they cannot be returned.
26. Loyalty card: A card issued by a shop to a customer, used to record credit points awarded for money spent in the shop.
Example: I earn points on my loyalty card every time I shop here.
27. Return policy: The rules a retailer creates to manage how customers return and exchange unwanted merchandise they purchased.
Example: The store has a 30-day return policy.
28. Cash register: A machine in a shop or other business that records sales and into which money received is put.
Example: The cashier at the cash register gave me the receipt.
29. Gift receipt: A receipt that doesn’t show the price, given by a shop when you buy something as a gift for someone.
Example: If you’re giving a gift, don’t forget to ask for a gift receipt.
30. Out of stock: Not available to buy in a shop because all have been sold.
Example: The product I wanted was out of stock.
31. Personal shopper: A person whose job is to assist customers in a process of purchasing goods.
Example: Some department stores provide a personal shopper service.
32. Shopaholic: A person considered to be addicted to shopping.
Example: She is a self-confessed shopaholic.
33. Shopping basket: A container with a handle, used for carrying goods that a customer intends to purchase in a shop.
Example: He put the bread into his shopping basket.
With these English collocations, you’re now fully equipped to tackle any shopping situation with confidence. Whether you’re haggling over prices, hunting for bargains, or just browsing the shelves, you’ll sound more fluent and natural. Happy shopping!