Shopping Vocabulary - Types of Shops

department store – sells many different items in different departments.

supermarket – a large shop that sells food, household items, medicines and toiletries.

grocer (UK) / grocery store (US) – a shop that sells food.

greengrocer – sells fresh fruit and vegetables.

butcher - sells fresh meat.

baker – sells fresh bread and cakes.

fishmonger – sells fresh fish.

chemist (UK) / drugstore (US) – sells medicines and toiletries. pharmacy (US) – sells medicines.

newsagent - sells newspapers and magazines.

optician – sells glasses / contact lenses.

DIY store – sells things for home improvement.

hardware shop / hardware store / ironmonger – sells goods such as nails, screws, paint.

corner shop (UK) – a small, local shop selling a range of basic goods – food, newspapers, sweets, bread, etc.

delicatessen (deli) – sells specialist or unusual food. Examples include: Italian, Asian, cold meats, cheeses etc.

bookshop / bookstore – books.

market – market traders (people who work on a market) have stalls that sell fruit and vegetables, clothes, household items and so on.

pet shop- for pets and pet food.

Coffee shop / tea shop (UK) – like a cafe, but sells cakes.

petrol station (UK) / gas station (US) sells petrol, car products and often food.

Asking for things

Excuse me….

Do you have any…?

Can I have some…?

Do you have/Have you got it/this/these/them in size/colour ...?

Can I try it / them on?

I take a size ….

Have you got a bigger one? / the next size up / down?

They fit / it fits. (the right size)

Does it / do they suit me?

I'll take it / them please. (I want to buy it / them)
I'll leave it / them thanks. (I don't want to buy it / them)

What the sales person says

Can I help you?

Are you looking for anything in particular?

What size are you?

Wait a second / moment, I’ll just check.

Yes, here you are.

Of course, what would you like?

How many / much would you like?

How do they feel?

I'm sorry, we're out of stock / That's the last one / That's all we have.

They suit / it suits you. (are the right 'look' for you)

If you don’t want to buy anything

I'm just looking / browsing, thank you.

Finding a Shop
  • Can you recommend a good toy / clothes shop?
  • Is there a chemists / supermarket in the area?
  • Where can I get toothpaste / pet food?
  • Where's the nearest shopping centre?
  • Are there any 24 hour shops around here?
  • How far is the nearest supermarket?
  • Do you know where I can buy a sandwich?
  • Is there anywhere near here where I can buy something to eat?
  • There's a really good shop just around the corner.
  • You can buy that here in the hotel.
  • The best toy shop is in the shopping centre.
  • The nearest one is a few miles away.
  • The best place for sandwiches is across the road.
Shopping for clothes
  • Could you help me, please?
  • Could you tell me where the ...... department is?
  • Excuse me, I'm looking for a ......
  • Is there somewhere I can try this on, please?
  • Does it suit me?
  • Do you have this in a another (larger / smaller) size (a different colour), please?
  • Do you do alterations?
  • Do you have a refund policy?
  • Is this in the sale?
  • It's too long / short / big / small.
  • They feel too tight / loose.
  • Is this made of leather / silk / plastic…?"
  • The ladies / men’s changing rooms are over there.
  • Can I bring this back if it's not the right size / if it doesn’t fit?"
  • You can bring it back and exchange it or get a refund within 2 weeks if you keep the receipt.
  • Can I have a carrier bag please?
  • It’s ok, I don’t need a bag.
  • It fits me well, I’ll take it.
Shopping for medicines
  • Can you give me something for a cough?
  • I need something for a headache?
  • What do you recommend for a sore throat?
  • How much / many do I take?
  • How often do I take them?
  • Are they safe for children to take?
  • I have a cold, what do you recommend?
  • Is this suitable for an upset stomach?
/ Opening hours
  • What time do you open, please?
  • When do you close?
  • What are your opening hours?
  • Are you open all day?
  • Are you open on Sundays?
  • We're open 24/7. (24 hours a day / 7 days a week)
  • We're closed on Sundays.
  • We're open from 9am till 6pm, Monday to Friday
Shopping for Food
  • Can I have a packet of crisps please?
  • Can I have 250 grams of cheese please?
  • I would like half a kilo of flour please.
  • Can I have 8 large oranges please?
  • Can I have a dozen eggs please?
  • Could I have a sliced wholemeal loaf please?
  • Can I have 6 slices of ham please?
  • I would like 4 tins of beans please.
  • What type of meat / fish is that?
  • I’ll have that piece of meat please.
  • I’ll have 3 of those please.
  • Can I have a bag of potatoes please?
  • Could I have 2 portions of chips please?
  • I would like a piece of chocolate cake please.
  • I would like a smaller / bigger portion please.
  • I would like a litre of milk and a bottle of water please.
  • Can I have 2 coffees please.
  • That is too many / too much.
  • Can I have a bit more / less please?
  • It’s a bit over half a kilo, is that ok?
  • Is this (big) enough?
  • Would you like anything else?
  • Would you like milk and sugar?
Paying
  • Do you take credit cards?
  • Do you have a loyalty card?
  • Does it have a warranty?
  • Can I pay by cheque / credit card / cash?
  • Do you offer a cash discount?
  • Can I have the receipt, please?
  • Do you want to come to the cash desk?
  • We take all the major credit cards.
  • We only accept cheques with a cheque card.
  • We are offering 6 months free credit with no deposit.
  • Do you have anything smaller? (If you pay with a large denomination note.)
  • I'm sorry, I don't have any small change.