Anyone who has ever worked in retail can tell you that customers come in all shapes and sizes, from the sublime to the ridiculous. Retail staff are the ultimate people-watchers, able to identify various customer species with just the briefest glance. Sometimes, this is a matter of survival on the shop floor.

In this people-watcher’s guide to the wild world of shopping, experienced retailer Mem Davis takes a lighthearted look at the various breeds of customer that inhabit Australia’s malls. By turns funny and shocking, A Field Guide to Retail will ensure you’ll never look at a shopping centre the same way again.