comparison shoppingn.
/kəmˈparᵻs(ə)n ˌʃɒpɪŋ/, U.S. /kəmˈpɛrəs(ə)n ˌʃɑpɪŋ/ Originally U.S.
The action of comparing (the prices of) the same or similar products or services as offered by different retailers, manufacturers, etc. Also in extended use. Frequently attributive.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > buying > [noun] > shopping > shopping by specific method
home shopping1874
mail order1906
self-service1913
self-serve1919
comparison shopping1921
teleshopping1944
full-service1978
online shopping1982
society > trade and finance > buying > [noun] > shopping > going from shop to shop comparing prices
shopping1757
comparison shopping1921
1921 M. H. Tolman Positions of Responsibility in Department Stores ii. §D. 84 Two comparison shopping executives had been secretaries to members of the management.
1935 Middletown (N.Y.) Times Herald 12 Mar. 4/3 The only way a club owner can cut expenses is to skimp on food and drinks and there is too much ‘comparison shopping’ among his customers to allow him much leeway.
1975 Toronto Life May 68 Comparison shopping will obviously be tougher, although shelves will be marked with prices as they are now.
1990 W. Sheed Ess. in Disguise ii. ix. 115 The poetic and cultish associations of religion..make..comparison-shopping psychologically difficult, as Jews who Christianize have discovered.
2004 Financial Times (Electronic ed.) 3 Dec. 17 Comparison shopping sites..make it easier to compare features or prices.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1921