Contract law on invitation to treat

A person making an invitation to treat does not intend to be bound as soon as it is accepted by the person to whom the statement is addressed. Sometimes a person may not offer to sell their goods, but makes some statement or gives some information with a view to inviting others to make offers on the basis.

The difference is significant because accepting an offer makes a binding contract, while “accepting” an invitation to treat is making an offer.
An invitation to treat (or invitation to bargain in the United States) is a notion within contract law that comes from the Latin phrase invitation ad offerendum, meaning “inviting an offer.” .

By contrast, if you accept an invitation to treat, you have only made an offer.
An invitation to treat is not an offer until you clearly and directly approach another party to contract.
For example, an offer occurs when you take the item to the register, communicating that you are making an offer.