Shopping is an activity that is enjoyed by many people. There are also people who hate shopping and say that it is a waste of time.
There are many kinds of shops ranging from large department stores, self-service shops and supermarkets to small specialized shops. Nowadays more and more customers prefer shopping in large, self-service department stores, where everything can be found under one roof, to shopping in small specialized shops.
They sell foodstuffs including flour, sugar, vegetable oil, tea. They also have dairy products, such as milk, butter, cream, cheese.

Various kinds of fresh bread, rolls, buns and cakes can be bought at a baker´s. Butchers sell meat including pork, beef, lamb or poultry.
People, who like to do gardening and some do-it-yourself work around the house, frequently need some hardware. They can go to an ironmonger´s to buy hammer, pliers, nails.

Writing paper wrapping paper, envelopes, notebooks and pens of compasses are sold at stationer´s shops. All these things need it by children can be bought here.
Fresh vegetables and all kinds of fruit can by bought at the greengrocer´s. Many people prefer shopping at the market where is a wider choice of potatoes, carrots, apples, oranges or bananas.

The chemist´s is a specialized shop where people can buy medicines. In Britain, the chemist also keeps cosmetics and toiletry supplies such as make-up, shaving-cream and shampoo.
Boutiques sell the latest fashion. Here, people have a wide choice of dresses, shirts, skirts, blouses, pullovers and jeans. Some of the boutiques also offer leather goods such as leather jackets, shoes, bags and leather belts.

Many people like to go shopping to department stores. Department stores are large buildings, usually several storeys high. The big department stores started in America and the idea was brought to England by Gordon Selfridge some 80 years ago.