Shopping

购物是人们日常生活的重要组成部分，是人们经常讨论的话题。可你有在美国购物的经历吗？美国购物场所有哪几类？它们的划分依据是什么呢？

There are many different types of shops in the United States; they can be divided into three price-ranges1: inexpensive, middle, and expensive.

Inexpensive shops cater2 to the general public, and include some store chains, thrift3  stores, and flea markets. Some store chains, such as K-mart, offer goods at low prices. Thrift stores, or   second-hand shops, are generally cheaper than the store chains, but have a much lower  selection  of  goods.  Second-hand

shops have items that have been previously owned or used, and are being resold. The prices in these stores may be negotiable4, unlike in the store chains. Flea markets are a collection of independent vendors5 who sell their wares in a special area. The vendors usually rent out space in a warehouse or parking lot for a certain number of days or hours. The goods at flea markets may be new or used, and the prices are usually negotiable.

Middle-priced stores usually have higher quality goods, but they are also more expensive. Mid-range shopping centers include Fashion Bug. Shopping malls are a collection of stores, usually inside a certain building or area. Unlike the flea market, these vendors are usually affiliated6 with a company, and rent their space on a yearly contractual basis. Prices in malls are fixed.

Expensive stores are generally specialty7 stores. They are devoted to very high quality or unique products. Some shopping malls fall into the expensive price range as well. As with other the prices in these stores are not negotiable, although the service and quality of the goods are generally superior to that of other stores.

Questions to think about:

1. What are the three types of stores?

2. If you are on a tight budget, which stores should you patronize?

3. What are some differences between malls and flea markets?

4. What types of stores are there in your country? Which stores do you prefer to shop in?

Ｎew words and expressions

1.range  n.(种类或变化) 限度，范围

2. cater  v.提供饮食及服务（cater to sth.满足某种要求或需要）

3. thrift  n.节俭；节约

4. negotiable  a.可谈判的，可协商的

5. vendor  n.小贩

6. affiliate    vt.使隶属（或附属）

7. specialty   n.招牌性的或优质的服务或产品