At The Shop

a line.
express checkout: For people buying a few items. The sign will show how many items you are allowed to have (1-12).
automatic checkout: You swipe and bag your own groceries and pay with a credit card.
closed: Many stores use a lighting system to show which cash-desks are open for service. If the light is on, the cash-desk is open.

packing items.
Don’t be surprised if you have to buy your bags.
shopping trolley: trolley on wheels (you may have to put a coin deposit in the slot)
basket: plastic container with handles; useful for quick grocery trips when you only need a few items
box: sometimes available for free at the checkout
plastic or paper bags: you may have to pay for these
reusable bags: bring your own (or buy and reuse)

grocery store)
as well as some example items of what you will find in them.
(fresh) produce: fresh fruit and vegetables frozen food: pizzas, fruit and vegetables, ice-cream, etc bulk food: olives, nuts (You put in bags yourself. You choose the amount.) pre-packaged goods: flour, sugar, etc bread: packaged bread, buns, etc meat and seafood: beef, chicken, fish, etc delicatessen: freshly sliced meats and cheeses (You tell the butcher how much you want.) bakery: fresh breads, muffins, cakes, tarts, etc dairy products: milk, eggs, yogurt, etc pasta and rice: spaghetti, penne, wild rice, whole wheat pasta, etc ethnic food: food from countries in other parts of the world canned food: beans, pasta sauce, canned fruit and vegetables, tuna, etc condiments: ketchup, sauces, salad dressings, oil, salt, pepper, etc snacks: chips, peanuts, biscuits, crackers, etc cereals: boxed breakfast cereals and bars, oats, etc beverages: juice, coffee, tea, soda, etc household items: toilet paper, tissues, rubbish bags, detergent, etc health and beauty, toiletries: make up, deodorant, shampoo, etc

Many shop assistants will ask you for this. These cards are usually free. They provide you with a discount on many items and give you points for gifts. If you are going to use this shop often, fill in a form and get a card! It will be worth your time.
Brand-name items are normally more expensive than no-name or store-named items.
Common Courtesy - If the person behind you only has one or two items, you can invite the shopper to go in front of you. Say, “You can go ahead of me. You’re just buying a few things.”
If there is a divider (small stick) on the conveyor belt at the checkout, place it after your items. This will allow the person behind you to start placing his or her groceries down too.
Grocery Shopping Tips Did you make out a list? Creating an English grocery list is a fun and simple way to practise English. You can even create a master list using the sections above. Add subcategories for all the food you normally buy. Leave extra spaces for special items that you need once in a while.