Participants

The shopper

To many it is considered a recreational activity in which one visits a variety of stores in search of a suitable product to purchase. Window shopping is an activity that shoppers engage in by browsing though glass windows of a shop for entertainment. Sometimes they like what they see and might try on the item(s) or imagine purchasing these items without actually purchasing, possibly just to pass the time between other activities, or planning a purchase.

To some, shopping is a task of inconvenience and vexation. Shoppers sometimes go though great lengths to wait in long lines to buy popular products as typically observed with early adopters shoppers and holiday shoppers. Sometimes buyers feel ripped-off because they did not get what they paid for often asking for a refund. Sometimes shoppers get caught up in a scam.

More recently compulsive shopping has been recognised as an addiction. Commonly referred as compulsive shopping, shopping addiction, shopoholic or formally oniomania, these shoppers have an impulsive uncontrollable need to go shopping to get a rush or high.

The merchant

Sellers of products come by various names. They may be called vendors, merchants, salesman.

Shopping venues


Shopping hubs

A larger commercial zone can be found in city downtown or Arab city souk. Shopping hubs, or shopping centers, are collection of stores that is a grouping of several businesses. Typical examples include shopping malls, town squares, flea markets, and bazaars.