ESL Podcast 875 - Shopping at the Supermarket

stocker - a person whose job is to put products on the shelves and on display where shoppers can reach them, especially in a grocery store or a discount store

The store usually has one or two stockers working during the day, but more stockers work at night when there are fewer shoppers.

aisle - one of several passages, almost like hallways, between the items that are for sale, usually wide enough for two shopping carts

Peanut butter and jams are in aisle 7.

brand - the name given to a particular product (or related products) sold by a specific company

Some people pay more to buy their favorite brand, but Jennifer just buys whichever brand is least expensive.

out of stock - not available for sale because all the items have been sold

In the days before the storm, so many people bought emergency supplies like bottled water and flashlights that most of the stores were out of stock

shipment - a large number of products that are transported together and sent or received at the same time

We should get a new shipment of books on Thursday.

to check back - to return at a future time to ask the same question again or to see whether something that one is waiting for has happened yet

Your order hasn't arrived yet, but please check back tomorrow.

discontinued - no longer available, especially because something is no longer being produced or manufactured

When Sheila heard that her favorite lipstick was being discontinued, she bought as many tubes of it as she could find.

parent company - a company that owns and operates one or more smaller companies

Job applicants have to indicate whether any of the relatives work for this company or its parent company.

to stock - to keep something in one's inventory and make it available for sale to customers

Grocery stores have to stock a lot of turkey and jars of gravy in November, because those are popular foods for Thanksgiving.

quality control - the process of making sure the products being manufactured meet certain standards for performance and appearance

This radio doesn't work at all. Isn't anyone responsible for quality control at the factory?

to pull - to decide to stop selling something and remove it from the store so that it is no longer displayed to customers

When scientists found dangerous bacteria in ground beef, thousands of stores across the country pulled hamburger from their meat cases.

shelf - one of many flat surfaces that are attached to a wall or a wooden or metal frame to store and/or display objects

In grocery stores, the most expensive items are usually at eye level, and less expensive items are found on bottom shelves.

to carry - to have something in stock (inventory) and make it available for sale to customers

Very few stores in the United States carry rabbit meat.

organic - referring to food that is grown or produced without any artificial chemicals

Is organic food any healthier than food grown with pesticides?

out of season - not grown in the local area at the current time of year (for example, used to describe a winter vegetable during the summer months)

Peaches are Edgar's favorite fruit, but they're out of season during most of the year.

to have nothing to show for it - to not receive any of the intended results from one's actions or efforts; to be unsuccessful; to be unable to show one's progress

With four little kids in the house, sometimes we clean all day and have nothing to show for it!

empty-handed - without anything; without getting what one had expected

We can't go to their house empty-handed. We have to buy a gift for the hostess.

I'm there - a phrase used to show that one plans to do something and is enthusiastic and excited to participate

A: We're having a party at our house next Saturday. Do you want to come? B: I'm there!