Shopping means the act of buying goods and services from shops, markets, or other places where they are sold. It involves selecting, paying for, and taking possession of goods or services that meet one’s needs and wants.

In simple terms, shopping means going out to buy things that you need or want for personal or family use.

Meaning of a Shopper

A shopper is a person who buys goods and services from a shop, market, or any place of sale. For example, when you go to buy food, clothes, or stationery, you are a shopper.

There are different types of shopping based on what is being bought or how it is done. They include:

1. Cash Shopping: This is when goods are paid for immediately after buying them.
   Example: Buying bread from a bakery and paying cash on the spot.


2. Credit Shopping: This is when goods are collected and payment is made later.
   Example: Buying items on credit from a shop and paying at the end of the month.


3. Window Shopping: This means looking at goods displayed in shops or markets without buying immediately. It helps the shopper to compare prices and quality before making a decision.


4. Online Shopping: This is the buying of goods and services through the internet using phones or computers.
   Example: Buying clothes or shoes from online stores like Jumia or Konga.


5. Bulk Shopping: This means buying goods in large quantities, often at a cheaper price.
   Example: Buying a full bag of rice instead of a few cups.


6. Impulse Shopping: This is when a person buys something without planning to, usually because of attraction to the product.

Shopping tips are guidelines or pieces of advice that help a consumer to shop wisely and get the best value for money.

Below are important shopping tips every consumer should know:

1. Make a Shopping List: Always write down the items you need before going to the market or shop. It helps you to remember everything and avoid unnecessary purchases.


2. Plan Your Budget: Decide how much money you can spend and stick to it. This prevents overspending and wastage.


3. Compare Prices: Check the prices of the same goods in different shops or markets to get the best deal.


4. Buy from Reliable Sources: Purchase goods only from trusted sellers or shops known for honesty and quality.


5. Check the Quality: Inspect goods for durability, freshness, and expiration dates before buying. This is especially important for food, drugs, and cosmetics.


6. Avoid Impulse Buying: Do not buy things just because they look attractive or are being advertised. Only buy what you need.


7. Ask for a Receipt: Always collect a receipt after payment as proof of purchase. It helps you to make complaints or returns when necessary.


8. Check Measurements and Weights: Ensure that goods are correctly measured or weighed to avoid being cheated.


9. Buy in Bulk (When Possible): Buying in large quantities can help save money, especially for family use.


10. Check Return and Warranty Policies: When buying expensive goods, find out if you can return or repair them if they develop faults.


11. Mind the Packaging and Labels: Read the product labels carefully to know the ingredients, manufacturing date, and expiry date.


12. Shop in a Safe Environment: Choose clean and safe places to buy your goods, especially food items.


13. Shop During Sales or Discounts: Take advantage of discount periods, but make sure you are buying what you truly need.


14. Keep Your Belongings Safe: Be careful with your purse, wallet, or phone when shopping in crowded places.


15. Keep Receipts and Warranties: Keep all documents related to your purchases in case you need them for complaints or exchange.

Good shopping habits help a person to:

1. Spend money wisely.


2. Avoid waste and impulse buying.


3. Get the best quality of goods and services.


4. Save money for future use.


5. Avoid being cheated by dishonest sellers.


6. Plan and manage family income effectively.


7. Promote good consumer behavior.

Bad shopping habits can lead to:

1. Wastage of money and resources.


2. Buying fake or expired goods.


3. Financial problems due to overspending.


4. Regret and dissatisfaction after shopping.


5. Exposure to health risks from unsafe products.

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Meaning of Needs

Needs are the basic things that a person must have in order to live a comfortable and healthy life. They are essential for survival and cannot be done without.

Examples of needs include:

1. Food


2. Clothing


3. Shelter


4. Water


5. Medical care

Without these, a person cannot live properly or survive for long. Therefore, needs are also known as necessities of life.

Meaning of Wants

Wants are the things that people desire to have but can live without. They make life more enjoyable and comfortable, but they are not essential for survival.

Examples of wants include:

1. Fancy clothes


2. Television


3. Car


4. Smartphones


5. Luxury furniture


6. Jewellery

Wants are unlimited because human desires never end. As one is satisfied, another arises.

Basis	Needs	Wants
Meaning	Basic things necessary for survival	Things people desire but can live without
Importance	Very important and must be satisfied first	Less important and can be postponed
Examples	Food, clothing, shelter, water	Car, television, gold chain
Nature	Limited in number	Unlimited in number
Effect of Not Having Them	May lead to suffering or death	No serious effect if not satisfied
Satisfaction	Must be satisfied to survive	Can be satisfied to enjoy comfort

1. Needs are essential for living, while wants are not.


2. Wants are unlimited, but needs are limited.


3. Wants vary from person to person, depending on taste, age, income, and environment.


4. Needs must be satisfied first before wants.


5. Both needs and wants require money to be satisfied.


6. Wants can become needs if they are used frequently or become very important in daily life.
   Example: A mobile phone may become a need for a businessperson.

A scale of preference is a list of wants arranged in order of their importance or priority. It helps a person to decide which wants to satisfy first with the limited amount of money available.

For example:

List of Wants	Order of Importance
Food	1st
School fees	2nd
Clothes	3rd
Shoes	4th
Mobile phone	5th

From the table, food is the most important and should be bought first.

Opportunity Cost

Opportunity cost means the value of the next best alternative that is given up when a choice is made. It represents what you lose when you choose one thing instead of another.

Example: If you have ₦2,000 and you choose to buy a pair of shoes instead of a shirt, the shirt is the opportunity cost of the shoes.

1. It helps you to spend money wisely.


2. It helps in setting priorities.


3. It encourages saving and good financial management.


4. It prevents waste of money on unnecessary things.


5. It helps to make better economic and personal decisions.


6. It allows you to plan and live within your income.


7. It teaches self-control and discipline in spending.

The needs and wants of people differ because of certain factors such as:

1. Age – The needs of children differ from those of adults.


2. Occupation – A farmer and an office worker have different needs and wants.


3. Income – A rich person can satisfy more wants than a poor person.


4. Environment – Climate and location affect what people need or want.


5. Education – Educated people may have different wants from uneducated people.


6. Culture and Religion – Beliefs and traditions influence what people consider important.


7. Technology – New inventions create new wants.


8. Peer Pressure and Advertisement – Influence people to buy things they may not need.

Every individual must learn to make wise decisions about needs and wants because money and resources are limited. Decision-making helps a person to use available resources wisely and avoid waste.

The following steps can guide you in making the right decisions:

1. Identify Your Needs and Wants: Know the difference between what you must have and what you simply desire.


2. List Them Down: Write out all your needs and wants clearly.


3. Arrange Them in Order of Importance: Place the most important needs at the top of your list (using a scale of preference).


4. Consider Your Budget and Income: Know how much money you have and how much you can afford to spend.


5. Evaluate the Benefits of Each Item: Think about how each item will help you or improve your life.


6. Make a Wise Choice: Choose what gives you the most benefit and satisfaction.


7. Avoid Impulse Buying: Do not buy things you did not plan for.


8. Review and Adjust When Necessary: Your needs and wants may change over time. Review your list regularly.

1. Identify your real needs before wants.


2. Make a budget to control spending.


3. Avoid impulse buying.


4. Save money for future needs.


5. Buy only what is necessary and affordable.


6. Compare prices before buying.


7. Make use of your scale of preference.


8. Learn contentment and self-discipline.

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Summary

Shopping tips help consumers to buy wisely, save money, and get value for what they spend. Before buying anything, you must plan your budget, make a shopping list, compare prices, and check the quality of goods. A wise shopper always makes informed decisions, avoids waste, and supports honest business practices.