Shop Assistants is the debut studio album by the Scottish indie pop band Shop Assistants. It was released in 1986 on the independent record label 53rd & 3rd. The album built upon the band's earlier singles and EPs, solidifying their reputation for distinctive jangle-pop characterized by prominent guitar hooks, a sometimes lo-fi production aesthetic, and the deadpan vocals of lead singer Alex Taylor.
The album is widely considered a significant release within the British independent music scene of the mid-1980s, often associated with the C86 movement due to its timing and sound. Key tracks from the album include "I Don't Want To Be Friends With You," "Something To Do," and "Looking Forward," all of which exemplify the band's blend of melodic songwriting with a raw, unpolished energy.
Upon its release, Shop Assistants received critical acclaim within the independent music press and helped to define the burgeoning indie pop genre. Its influence can be traced through subsequent generations of indie and alternative bands. Despite its importance, the album was not a major commercial success, but it remains a cult classic and a foundational record for fans of 1980s indie music.