The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word OUTLETS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
O
U
T
L
E
T
S
More clues leading to the result OUTLETS
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "shops" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case shops = outlets.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does OUTLETS mean?
OUTLETS noun- A vent or similar passage to allow the escape of something.
- Something which allows for the release of one's desires.
- A river that runs out of a lake.
- A shop that sells the products of a particular manufacturer or supplier.
- A wall-mounted device such as a socket or receptacle connected to an electrical system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment or appliances.