A Theory of Shopping

by Daniel Miller

Overview

A Theory of Shopping offers a highly original perspective on one of our most basic everyday activities - shopping. We commonly assume that shopping is primarily concerned with individuals and materialism. But Miller rejects this assumption and follows the surprising route of analysing shopping by means of an analogy with anthropological studies of sacrificial ritual. He argues that the act of purchasing goods is almost always linked to other social relations, and most especially those based on love and care.

The ethnographic sections of the book are based on a year's study of shopping on a street in North London. This provides the basis for a sensitive description of the issues the shopper confronts when making decisions as to what to buy. Miller develops a theory to account for these observations, arguing that shopping typically consists of three major stages which reflect the three key stages of many rites of sacrifice. In both shopping and sacrifice the ultimate intention is to constitute others as desiring subjects. Finally the book examines certain historical shifts in both subjects and objects of devotion, in particular, ideals of gender and love.

This treatment of shopping from the perspective of comparative anthropology represents a highly innovative approach to one of the most familiar tasks of our daily lives. Written in a clear and accessible manner, this book will be of interest to students and academics in anthropology, sociology and cultural studies, as well as anybody who wants to consider more deeply the nature of their own everyday activities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780745667911
Publisher:	Polity Press
Publication date:	05/31/2013
Sold by:	JOHN WILEY & SONS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
File size:	394 KB

About the Author

Daniel Miller is the author of A Theory of Shopping, published by Wiley.

Table of Contents

IntroductionChapter 1. Making Love in SupermarketsChapter 2. Shopping as SacrificeChapter 3. Subjects and Objects of DevotionNotes
Bibliography
Index

What People are Saying About This

Fred Myers

An original and provocatively argued book that should make a significant contribution to the study of material culture and consumption.

Nigel Thrift

"Before reading this book, I did not believe that a theory of shopping was possible. Now I do. Daniel Miller argues that shopping is a ritual practice oriented to others. Remarkable." -- University of Bristol

Editorial Reviews

Miller incorporates many diverse theories into his interpretation and ties together several anthropological concepts to create a unique vision of what shopping is. Miller's book provides a stimulating and thought-provoking look at shopping behavior from a prospective that might be novel for many marketing and consumer researchers and theorists.... A Theory of Shopping can be read with profit by anyone wishing to see how this aspect of consumer behavior is viewed by another discipline.... Miller's book should provide food for thought, regardless of whether one accepts or rejcts his arguments.

Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science - Ronald E. Goldsmith

"Before reading this book, I did not believe that a theory of shopping was possible. Now I do. Daniel Miller argues that shopping is a ritual practice oriented to others. In doing so, he puts the heart back into his accounts of consumption which too often assume that shopping is an asocial or even anti-social activity. Remarkable." Nigel Thrift, University of Bristol

"His demystification of what appears to be, on the surface, straightforward juggling of cost, quantity and quality is absorbing reading." New Statesman and Society

"Miller's Hegelian assumptions are provocative and testing. In short an exhilarating book." New Formations

"Miller begins with an excellent and sensitive ethnography of shopping firmly rooted among his own native north Londoners. It is a fine example of what an anthropologist can achieve at home." The Times Higher Education Supplement

From the Publisher

"An original and provocatively argued book that should make a significant contribution to the study of material culture and consumption."

Fred Myers