Shopping Terms

This category is dedicated to newly coined shopping terms and slangs that have gained popularity in everyday usage.

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Cherry-pick

To select the best or most desirable items from a collection or group.

Cashback-definition

A refund given to a customer after a purchase, or a credit card benefit that returns a small percentage of the purchase price.

Boutique

A small, exclusive shop that sells stylish clothing or other usually luxury goods.

Zombie Mall

A shopping mall that has a low occupancy of stores and a declining customer base.

Yard Sale

An informal sale of used goods, typically held outside the seller's home.

Vintage

Referring to high-quality products from a previous era that are often second-hand or upcycled.

Trendsetter

Someone who leads the way in fashion or style, often influencing others' shopping choices.

Stockpile

To accumulate a large quantity of goods, often to take advantage of a sale.

Sneakerhead

A person who collects, trades, or admires sneakers as a hobby.

Shopper's High

The euphoric feeling some people get after a successful shopping trip.

Score

To get a good deal or find something you've been looking for, often at a good price.

Rip-off

An item that is overpriced or not worth the money.

Pre-order

To order an item in advance of its release or availability.

Out of Stock

When an item is no longer available for purchase.

On the Rack

Refers to items that are available for immediate purchase in a store.

No-brainer

An easy decision, often referring to a purchase that's clearly a great deal.

Killer

An item of clothing or an accessory that is very stylish or impressive.

Dropshipping

A retail fulfillment method where a store doesn't keep the products it sells in stock.

Wishlist-definition

A list of desired items that a customer may plan to purchase later.

Up-sell

To persuade a customer to buy something additional or more expensive.

Swipe

The act of using a credit or debit card for a purchase.

Stock Up

To buy a large quantity of an item, often when it's on sale.

Shopping Cart

A cart provided by a store for use while shopping, or the virtual equivalent for online purchases.

Restock

To replenish inventory with new or additional stock.

Receipt

A document acknowledging the receipt of goods or services.

Price Match

A promise to match a competitor's price on an identical item.

Loyalty Card

A card used by a retailer to track customer purchases and offer rewards.

Impulse Buy

An unplanned purchase made on a whim.

Gift Card

A prepaid card used as a substitute for cash to purchase goods or services at a particular store or business.

Freebie

An item given for free, often as part of a promotion.

Early Bird Special

A discount offered to customers who shop early in the day or during the first days of a sale.

Door Buster

A special deal or discount offered to attract customers into a store, often early in the morning.

Checkout

The process of completing a purchase, both in-store and online.

Add to Cart

To select items for online purchase by adding them to your virtual shopping cart.

Brick and Mortar

Physical retail stores as opposed to online shopping.

Rain Check

A promise to customers to sell currently out-of-stock items at a later date for the current sale price.

Haul

A large number of items purchased in one shopping trip.

Couponing

The use of discount vouchers to save money on purchases.

Clearance

Sale of goods at reduced prices to clear out inventory.

Pop-up Shop

A temporary retail space that opens for a short period to sell merchandise.

Flash Sale

A sale that lasts for a limited time, often with significant discounts.


A "flash sale" is a type of sales promotion characterized by offering discounts on products or services for a short period of time. These sales typically last for a brief duration, often just a few hours or a day, hence the term "flash," which implies something happening quickly or suddenly.

The etymology of "flash sale" is straightforward:

  • "Flash" refers to something happening quickly or suddenly. This term has been used in various contexts to describe events or actions that occur rapidly.
  • "Sale" refers to the act of selling products or services at reduced prices or with other incentives to attract customers.

The combination of these two words, "flash" and "sale," succinctly captures the essence of the promotion: a rapid, short-term offering of discounted goods or services.

The concept of flash sales has become increasingly popular with the rise of online shopping and e-commerce platforms. Retailers use flash sales as a way to generate excitement, create a sense of urgency among customers, and drive immediate sales. These promotions are often promoted heavily through various marketing channels, such as email newsletters, social media, and dedicated websites or apps.

The term "flash sale" became popular with the rise of e-commerce and online shopping platforms in the early 2000s. However, the concept of offering limited-time sales or promotions has been around for much longer, even before the internet era.

BOGO (Buy One, Get One)

A sales promotion where you get an additional item free when you buy one.

"BOGO" stands for "Buy One, Get One." It's a sales promotion technique where if you buy one item, you get another item of equal or lesser value for free or at a discounted price. BOGO deals are commonly used by retailers to attract customers and increase sales. For example, a store might advertise "BOGO: Buy One, Get One Free" or "BOGO: Buy One, Get One 50% Off.

It's possible that "BOGO" started gaining popularity in the latter half of the 20th century as retailers sought ways to succinctly communicate promotional offers to customers.

Markdown

A markdown entails a reduction in price, typically aimed at clearing old stock. It refers to a permanent or semi-permanent decrease in the price of an item, often influenced by factors such as overstock, seasonality, or product discontinuation. This contrasts with a sale, which is a promotional event organized by a retailer wherein prices of goods or services are temporarily reduced.

Sale

Sale is a period when items are offered at reduced prices. During a sale, items are usually discounted from their regular prices, either by a percentage or a fixed amount. Sales can occur for various reasons, such as to clear out excess inventory, celebrate a holiday or special event, attract customers, or increase revenue.

Steal

When someone describes a purchase as a "steal," it's like stumbling upon a hidden treasure chest during a shopping adventure. It's that rush of excitement and satisfaction you feel when you discover an item you love at a price that feels too good to be true. It's like winning a little victory in the world of shopping, where you walk away feeling like you've outsmarted the system and nabbed yourself an incredible deal.

Splurge

To spend more money than usual on something, often as a treat. It typically involves treating oneself to an expensive purchase or experience that is seen as a special indulgence or reward. Splurging can vary widely in scale, from purchasing an expensive item of clothing or jewelry to indulging in a lavish vacation or fine dining experience.

Swipenomics

The art of maximizing credit card rewards and cashback offers while shopping.

Bargain

An item bought at a lower price than usual, a good deal. For instance, buying a designer handbag that is usually priced at $500 for only $200 during a clearance sale would be considered a bargain.

Shopaholic

Someone addicted to shopping. Approximately 5-8% of the worldwide population suffers from compulsive buying disorder, which leads to shopping addictions.

Window Shopping

Looking at items in store windows without the intention of buying them.

Retail Therapy

Pronunciation

🔉 /ˈriːteɪl ˈθɛrəpi/ | "ree-tayl ther-uh-pee."

Here's a breakdown of the pronunciation:

  • "retail": pronounced as "ree-tayl"
  • "therapy": pronounced as "ther-uh-pee"

Etymology

The term "retail therapy" combines "retail," referring to the act of purchasing goods, with "therapy," suggesting a psychological or emotional benefit gained from shopping.

Definition

Retail therapy" refers to the practice of shopping with the intention of improving one's mood or emotional state. It is often associated with the idea that purchasing items can provide a temporary sense of satisfaction or relief from stress, anxiety, or other negative emotions.

First Use

The exact origin of the term "retail therapy" is uncertain, but it is believed to have emerged in the 1980s, reflecting the cultural shift towards consumerism and the increasing recognition of the psychological aspects of shopping.

Synonyms

  1. Shopping spree
  2. Retail indulgence
  3. Consumer therapy
  4. Retail relaxation
  5. Shopping therapy
  6. Retail escape
  7. Retail relief
  8. Consumer indulgence
  9. Retail binge
  10. Shopping satisfaction

Antonyms

  1. Frugality
  2. Saving
  3. Budgeting
  4. Thriftiness
  5. Financial restraint
  6. Austerity
  7. Economizing
  8. Financial discipline
  9. Prudence
  10. Financial responsibility

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