Shopping is an activity that is enjoyed by many people. Shopping is inevitable, surely some people don`t like it. There are many kinds of shops ranging from large department stores, self - service shops and supermarkets to small shop such as the grocer's, baker's, butcher's, greengrocer's, chemist's, bookshop in England.

Wherever the customers enter they are welcomed by shop assistants who are ready to help them. Nowadays more and more customers prefer shopping in large department stores with self service, where everything can be found under one roof.

At the grocer's people can buy foodstuff including flour, sugar, salt, eggs, vegetable oil, stewed fruit, various kinds of tea and coffe, bottled beer and juice, sweets, chocolate, frozen and tinned vegetables and fruit. There are also dairy products such as milk, butter, cream, cheese and yogurt.

At the baker's various kinds of fresh bread, rolls, buns and cakes can be bought.

The butcher sells meat including pork, beef, lamb or poultry. Here we can buy smoked meat products such as ham, bacon, sausages and frankfurters. At the butcher's people can also buy tinned and frozen meat and fish.

They can go to the ironmonger's to buy hammer, pliers, nails and other tools and materials.

At the stationer's writing paper, wrapping paper, envelopes, notebooks, pens, pencils, rubber, ruler are kept. All the things needed by school children can be bought here.

Fresh vegetables and all kinds of fruit can be bought at the greengrocer's and fruiterer's. Many people prefer shopping at the market where there is a wider choice of potatoes, cabbages, beans, carrots, tomatoes, apples, pears, oranges or bananas.

The chemist's is a specialized shop where people can buy medicines. In Britain the chemist also keeps cosmetics and toilet supplies such as make-ups, shaving-cream, shampoo, soap and tooth-brushes.

Boutiques sell the latest fashion. Here especially the young people have a wide choice of dresses, shirts, skirts, blouses, pullovers and jeans. Some of the boutiques also offer leather goods such as jackets, shoes, bags.

Nowadays more and more customers prefer shopping in large department stores with self service, where everything can be found under one roof. The department stores are large buildings usually several storeys high. They have many departments which offer their customers all kinds of foodstuff, clothes, shoes, toys, sporting goods, books and furniture. Nearly all the big deparment stores have cafés, snack bars or restaurants where the people can relax when they are tired of shopping.