The inspiration came from Huddleston’s co-author, retailing professor at Deakin University in Australia, Stella Minahan.

Minahan wrote a book analyzing the shopping habits of women in Australia, Great Britain and South Africa and was curious as to how American women would compare.

“What we tried to do is to set a background of the economic importance of women and shopping because women do most of the shopping not only in the states but all over the world,” Huddleston said. “We also trace a brief history of retailing in the United States.”

Huddleston explains in a chapter that the structure of retailing today is a reflection of how people, especially women, have evolved and how the economic status has changed.

“Back in the 1700s, there were few large cities and not as much formal retailing as we have today,” she said. “As women have entered the workforce and gone out into the suburbs, retailing has followed them.”

The book separates female shoppers into two main categories, the first being the grab-and-go shopper, consumers who know what they’re going to buy as they enter the store and make their purchase as quickly as possible.

The second is the hedonic shopper, those who shop for pleasure whether they plan on buying anything or not.

Supply chain management senior Sissi Cao classified herself as a hedonic shopper.

“(Shopping) can make you feel happier,” she said. “It’s a great way to spend time with your friends.”

Because Cao enjoys the social aspect of shopping, she also would be subcategorized as a “yo girlfriend” shopper by Huddleston.

In the book, Huddleston addresses various advertising tactics used by companies to attract female shoppers.

Advertising senior Marissa Loughrige said she’s noticed that even stores carrying both men’s and women’s apparel seem to aim more of their advertisements toward women.

Huddleston said despite the book’s title, men and women can both benefit from reading it.

“Whether you love shopping or hate shopping, everybody has to do it at some point,” she said. “I think it’s fun for people to read something and maybe gain some understanding from their own behavior.”