I can't declare a string in IntelliJ IDEA

import java.util.Scanner;
public class Example {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Scanner user = new Scanner(System.in);
        int numberOfItems;

        String merchandise;
        double payment;
        double tax = 0.13;
        double purchasePrice;
        double total= 0;
        double change= 0;
        double beforeTaxPrice = 0;
        int counter = 0;

        System.out.println("Please enter the number of items you have: ");
        numberOfItems = user.nextInt();

        while (counter < numberOfItems){
            System.out.println("Please enter the item purchased: ");
            merchandise = user.nextLine();

            System.out.println("Please enter the item price: ");
            purchasePrice = user.nextDouble();

            beforeTaxPrice += purchasePrice;
            counter += 1;
        }
        total = beforeTaxPrice + beforeTaxPrice*tax;

        System.out.println("Your total is: " + total);
    }
}