Whether you love shopping or hate shopping, as an international student in the United States, you will have many options to choose from. Shopping in the United States can be done in individual stores, malls, pavilions, “strip malls” or online. Most shopping in the United States is set up so that you can buy necessities and frivolities all in one spot or at least within a small geographic area. There is a wide breadth of stores and clothing, food and other products can be found for a broad range of prices. No matter how much or little you like shopping or how much or little you have to spend, the United States has options for you.
Shopping Malls
A shopping mall is a collection of stores and services found in the same building. They include anything from quaint boutique stores selling unique products to nationally known clothing stores, hair salons, and “big box” stores like Wal-Mart. They have anywhere from 10 stores to hundreds of stores and offer shoppers the convenience of shopping for different types of things in one location. In shopping malls, you can walk from store to store while remaining inside while in pavilions and strip malls you can walk from store to store outside. People spend minutes or hours in malls and most malls have restrooms and places to eat.
Big Box and Chain Stores
Big Box and chain stores are stores that are nationally or globally known and more or less offer the same products throughout the country or world. These stores offer a broad range of products and offer consistency in quality, prices and aesthetics. Big Box stores either offer a broad range of varied products (from clothing to furniture to food) or specialize in a particular field or industry (like sporting goods, home building, clothing or technology). These stores generally have lower prices and offer a broader range of products and services.
Independently Owned and Operated Stores
There are thousands upon thousands of independently owned and operated stores throughout the United States. These stores are typically owned by a local person or family and generally serve their surrounding community. Many of these stores offer higher quality products and services and include the benefit of local customer service and guaranteed quality standards. These stores can specialize in any given product or service from books to clothing to skincare. Many independently owned and operated stores offer unique and interesting products that aren’t commonly found in other stores.
Outlet Stores and Sales
Outlet stores offer shoppers an opportunity to buy products directly from the factory. Discontinued products, products with slight inconsistencies and over-stocked products, for example, make their way into outlet stores where they are sold at discounted prices. Multiple outlet stores are typically found in one location (an outlet store “mall” if you will) and products can be marked anywhere from 10% below store prices to 90 percent below store prices. Shopping at outlet stores is a great way to buy quality products at lower prices.
All stores in the United States, whether outlet or not, offer sales at different times throughout the year. Seasonal sales are most common as stores attempt to move out old product in favor of new product. Strategically shopping sales is another great way to buy more goods with less money.
Food Shopping
Everyone needs to eat and for that reason there is a plethora of food stores in the United States. Similar to other stores, grocery stores are either nationally or locally owned and offer a variety of products to their customers. Nationally or regionally owned stores typically have a broader selection of foods while locally owned stores typically have more specialty items. Basic necessities like fruits, vegetables, meats and grains can be found at both nationally and locally owned stores. Organic foods are more and more abundant and affordable in America and options in name-brand or generic foods make it relatively easy to stick to a budget. Most grocery stores will have everything you need—from food and beverages to toilet paper and cold medicines—under one roof and pharmacies, bakeries and delis are typically found in larger grocery stores. There is also an abundance of specialty food stores in many cities in the United States; specialty breads, desserts, ethnic foods and meats can be found in independent and locally owned stores throughout the country.
General Shopping Cues
Many states in the U.S. have committed to reducing their use of plastic bags. Consider bringing or buying re-useable cloth bags and bringing them with you when you shop. Many stores offer a small discount if you use your own bag and most are grateful that you are doing your part to protect the planet’s resources.
Keep in mind that most stores in the United States have limited hours during which they’re open. Plan ahead, make sure you have the items you need most in stock and enjoy shopping while you’re attending school in the United States!
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