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Retail therapy
Humorous
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Abstract
Composition
Compound
Uncountable
Plural form
retail therapies
What does "retail therapy" mean in shopping slang?
The structure combines "retail" (the sale of goods) with "therapy" (treatment for mental or emotional problems), forming a humorous compound noun that treats shopping as a form of self care. It is used to describe the act of shopping to improve one's mood or alleviate stress, often as a way to cope with bad days, boredom, or emotional lows. People typically say "I need some retail therapy" or "Retail therapy always makes me feel better" when justifying unplanned purchases.
Examples
After a long and stressful week at work, Sarah indulged in a bit of retail therapy, treating herself to a new outfit and accessories.
