What this is about
A shop is a place that sells things. You give the shopkeeper money. They give you what you bought. If you gave them too much, they give some back — that's called change.
What is a shop?
A shop is a place that sells things to people who want to buy them.
You probably go to lots of different shops:
- The supermarket where you get food
- The newsagent where you might buy a comic or sweets
- The clothes shop where you got your shoes
- The bookshop where you might find a story you like
- The toy shop on a special day
Some shops are tiny. Some are huge. Some are in a building, some are online (a website is a shop too).
Who is the shopkeeper?
The shopkeeper is the person who works in the shop. Their job is to:
- Help you find what you want
- Tell you the price
- Take the money you give them
- Give you back what you bought
- Sometimes give you change
In big supermarkets there are lots of shopkeepers — some on the tills, some stacking shelves, some helping at the deli or the bakery. They're all doing the same job: helping shoppers buy things.
The shopkeeper doesn't own the shop usually. They work for the person or company that owns the shop. The owner pays them a wage for doing the job.
What is change?
Most things cost a number that isn't a round amount.
A comic might cost £3.50.
You hand the shopkeeper a £5 note.
That's more than the comic costs. So the shopkeeper gives some money back. That's called change.
The shopkeeper might give you a £1 coin and a 50p coin. That's £1.50. That's right.
Or they might give you three 50p coins. That's also £1.50. That's also right.
There are lots of ways to make the same total. As long as it adds up to the change you're owed, it's correct.
Different kinds of shops
Most UK shops fit into a few groups:
- Supermarkets — Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose. They sell food and lots of other things.
- Corner shops / newsagents — small local shops for sweets, papers, milk, bread.
- Clothes shops — for jumpers, shoes, school uniform.
- Toy shops — like Smyths, The Entertainer, or smaller ones.
- Bookshops — Waterstones, WHSmith, or local ones.
- Restaurants and cafes — you "buy" food but you usually eat it there.
- Online shops — you buy with a phone or computer, and the things arrive in the post.
All of them work the same way: you pay, they give you what you bought.
Try this at the shop
Next time you're at a small shop (a newsagent or corner shop, not a big supermarket):
- Pick one small thing you want to buy (with permission!)
- Look at the price on the label or shelf
- Pay for it yourself if you can — hand over the money
- Count the change before you leave
- Say "thank you" to the shopkeeper
The first time you do this, the grown-up might need to help. After 3 or 4 tries, you can probably do it on your own (with them watching).
For teachers: curriculum links
- England — Maths Y1/Y2 Money (making change, finding totals)
- England — PSHE Association KS1 L7 (introducing money), L8 (saving and spending)
- Wales — Curriculum for Wales Progression Step 1-2 (Maths & Numeracy, HWB)
- Scotland — Curriculum for Excellence MNU 1-09a (money basics)
- NI — Mathematics KS1, PDMU KS1
Full mapping in the curriculum map.
UK Tax Drag (2026). What are shops? — how buying works. Ages 5–7 guide. Available at: https://kids.uktaxdrag.co.uk/ages-5-7-what-shops-are.html
Curriculum mapping: see UK Financial Education Curriculum Map (Version 1.0).