In the past, shopping was a routine domestic task. Many people nowadays regard it as a hobby. To what extent do you think this is a positive trend?

Going shopping used to be a chore, but recently it has become a leisure activity or a pleasant outing. To my mind, it is debatable whether

this

can be regarded as a wholly positive development. For earlier generations, buying food or consumer products involved visiting several shops, each with the same limited range on offer. Customers had less money and credit was not widely available.

By contrast

, shoppers nowadays can find almost anything in the supermarket or shopping mall. The comfortable environment, the variety of goods and attractions

such

as cafés and cinemas make spending money enjoyable. Nowadays, with many parents working full-time, families have little time together. In my experience, it is normal to see families in the local shopping mall

at

Suggestion

on

weekends. Undoubtedly, one of the benefits of

this

is that they are together as a family.

Nevertheless

,

this

is not ideal, especially if it leaves no time for other activities,

such

as sport. Another negative result of

this

change in attitudes is the effect it has on young people all over the world, who spend time in shopping malls. The reasons for

this

are the influence of advertising and the availability of credit cards. On the one hand, they are with friends in a safe environment, but on the other, it can tempt them to buy things they do not really need and may cause them to get into debt.

Moreover

, it would be better for their health if they met friends to go swimming. In

conclusion I

Accept comma addition

conclusion, I

would like to suggest that

although

shopping now is less tedious,

this

is not necessarily a positive trend. It may be good for the retailers, but not for consumers if it replaces

other

any of various alternatives; some other

another

, healthier activities.