Proper Retail Shopping Etiquette

Enhance Your Shopping Experience by Using Good Manners

By Timothy Scheiman, published Jun 01, 2007
Published Content: 414  Total Views: 162,720  Favorited By: 45 CPs
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Many of us one time or another shop in stores. Whether we shop in grocery, department, or wholesale stores having good manners and etiquette is essential. If you frequent certain stores retail associates will begin to know you by name. Behavior out in public is remembered whether it is good or bad. These tips will help you have a good repore with store personnel and other shoppers.

Tips for when using a shopping cart

Don't block the isles. Shoppers sometimes get so involved in the shopping they forget that other people are shopping to. You are not the only person in the store so move your shopping cart so someone can get through.

If you happen to see a friend don't stand in an isle and gab. People cannot get around you and its not very polite to hold everyone until you get done talking.

Always say excuse me when someone is blocking your way. Try not to sound frustrated but be polite. Don't make comments but hold your tongue.

Not all shoppers will be polite and every now and than someone will be exceptionally rude. There is really nothing you should do or say about it. Don't let one person ruin your shopping experience.

Tips for dealing with associates

They are human beings just like you. Try not to be rude to an associate. Sometimes associates can have a bad day and can be a little cranky. Some of it you can over look. If they are rude with you than talk to the manager.

Associates do not know where everything is just cause they work in that store. They cannot make items they don't carry suddenly appear. Nor can they make items they are out of show up. Don't get mad at an associate if a price is changed or they are out of an item.

If a store is extremely busy and you need assistance remember and associate can only help one person at a time. Be patient as possible.

Associates for the most part work very hard and try their best to help customers. They can get stressed if a store becomes extremely busy. Don't make any comments about needing more help or blame the associate cause you had to wait.

Tips for the register

Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
 
 
Great tips on being courteous. I always say Excuse Me and often have people glare at me angrily - when they are not actively shopping as Daisy Mae said. I agree that it is rude to not wait politely, and quietly, if someone is actually reaching for something.

Posted on 06/12/2007 at 9:06:00 AM

 
I shop for two older people frequently and then for myself. I am in the grocery store or WalMart frequently. It is my experience that when I am looking for specific item on shelf, in bin etc. People come up to me or behind me or in front of me with their cart and say excuse me! this when they can see I am in that area and reaching for a product. I don't think it's polite for people to do this, they should go around or wait for me to finish. I usually wait for a person to get their item and move on and then I move up to get my item- which was in the same area.

Posted on 06/03/2007 at 10:06:00 PM

 
I shop for two older people frequently and then for myself. I am in the grocery store or WalMart frequently. It is my experience that when I am looking for specific item on shelf, in bin etc. People come up to me or behind me or in front of me with their cart and say excuse me! this when they can see I am in that area and reaching for a product. I don't think it's polite for people to do this, they should go around or wait for me to finish. I usually wait for a person to get their item and move on and then I move up to get my item- which was in the same area.

Posted on 06/03/2007 at 10:06:00 PM

 
Good tips, many are common sense. Shows though how many people show a lack of common sense while shopping

Posted on 06/02/2007 at 10:06:00 AM

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