Shopping - UK

This section is for all internet and actual shops based within the UK - Shopping is not considered a recreational activity of psychological interest. Shopping involves selection and purchase. "Window shopping" is an English phrase meaning to look into glass windows of a shop for entertainment and imagine purchasing items without actually purchasing, possibly just to pass the time between other activities, or planning a purchase. "Screen shopping" is derived from this term but applies to online retail stores (i.e., window shopping through a computer screen). Shops are divided into multiple categories of stores which sell a selected set of goods or services. Many shops are part of a chain: a number of similar shops with the same name selling the same products in different locations. The shops may be owned by one company, or there may be a franchising company that has franchising agreements with the shop owners (see also restaurant chain). Some shops sell second-hand goods. Often the public can also sell goods to such shops. In other cases, especially in the case of a nonprofit shop, the public donates goods to the shop to be sold (see also thrift store). In give-away shops goods can be taken for free. In Antique shops the public can find goods that are older and unique.