What the point of shops opening when you can't "shop" - can't browse, can't try on...

[ACautionaryTale]

So you have to walk in, select what you want, Pay and leave.

You shouldn't touch anything you don't end up buying

For clothes shops especially, you can't feel the fabric to see what its like, you can't try it on in the shop.....

Given that a lot of shops have shite returns policies it would make buying anything almost impossible.


Even ones that do have returns policies have often changed them during Covid.

you might as well buy on line.

[Somerville]

I know. I’m excited about book shops opening.... but to browse I’d need to lift books to read the blurb.
I predict shops will be overrun with people though, as it’s something new to do. Enforcing not touching stuff will be impossible.

[Finfintytint]

I was wondering this too. I need some summer shoes but have awkward feet so I’d need to try them on.

[DahliaDay]

People will do all of those things once in the shop

Shop staff are unable to stop them as well and won’t be encouraged to stop them as sales are needed

[GrimmsFairytales]

I've had similar thoughts. Espcially when it comes to clothes shopping. It can be a bit of nightmare without trying things on, as items which are the same size, and in the same shop can fit differently.

It feels rather pointless opening them up to have people file in and buy items, many of which may need returning at a later date. Although I expect many will be busy as it's another thing to do.

[Devlesko]

The high street was dead and buried anyway, as most people shop online anyway.
I find they don't have what I want, or the right size, you need to know when deliveries are and be able to go on that day.
I'm keeping to online shopping for most things now.

[PumpkinP]

I hate trying things on in store so that won’t bother me , are you not allowed to return them after you buy?

[Devlesko]

Maybe, you should wear gloves to protect yourselves and others. Perhaps a mask too.

[Sparklfairy]

It's like online shopping with a side of potential CV.

It's to save the government furlough money. The staff won't be eligible if the stores are allowed to open. Could mean a lot more stores going under sooner rather than later

[SachaStark]

Agreed, re: bookshops.

I’ve bought a few books online during the pandemic, but nothing at all beats the feeling of browsing a really lovely bookshop, and organically finding something that will interest me by seeing the blurb/cover. Rather than just finding a recommendation online, through Amazon/Booktube reviews, etc.

I’m looking forward to visiting my local bookseller when they reopen, but it will be rubbish if you can’t touch any books before you buy. 😔

[uncomfortablydumb53]

I thought the same, especially when queuing outside eg in a shopping centre. I think it will cause mayhem I'll continue to shop online, even though there's a lovely open air shopping centre close by( Bath)

[luckylavender]

@Devlesko - quite some statements there. I know a lot of people who don't shop online. The High Street may not be as vibrant as it was but we certainly need it.

[Pinkdelight3]

I would've thought the point was so that the government no longer has to pay people to keep their business closed and can leave them to deal with the fact that their business isn't viable within these rules. It sucks all round.

[RyanStartedTheFire]

People will do all of those things once in the shop

Shop staff are unable to stop them as well and won’t be encouraged to stop them as sales are needed

Basically. I work in retail that is planning on opening June 15th. There's been no communication on how they are planning for us to protect ourselves.

[Hanamuslim]

I would be really looking forward to going shopping but I know it would be a disaster so will be waiting a while to do anything



How on earth are we meant to shop without being able to touch things. We would need to look through hangers to find the correct sizes....


I won't be going shopping for a while and that will be with masks and gloves.

[Katiepoes]

Bookshops here never closed - they (like most shops) enforce a basket rule, if there's no baskets you have to wait, and you have to use their had sanitiser before going in. I think they know people will pick up books, this is a reasonable workaround. The lack of changing rooms in clothes shops is a pain though, might as well stick to online then. Some of the nicer shops are doing 'private' shops, they allow a tiny number in on an appointment basis, that's not for me though, I'd feel so pressured to buy.

[onemouseplace]

I was thinking how on earth are you supposed to rifle through the rail to find the right size if you can't touch anything you aren't buying? Let alone actually check that the right size is on the right hanger, or that they have your size.

[Passmethepepsi]

I work in retail that’s been open throughout lockdown. You can with all the will in the world ask customers to not touch items they aren’t going to buy. However most will still ignore you and their children will touch everything in sight. It’s simply not workable.

[Igtg]

If you can’t touch anything to find your size, feel the fabric or hold something up against you, what’s the point? I will stick to online.

[HermioneWeasley]

Why can’t people just wash/sanitize their hands on entering and leaving? Cv19 can’t sleep through your skin

[recycledteenager24]

i don't use clothles shops, hate the full on-ess of it, and such close proximity to other people, i've needed at less 1 metre social distancing around me most of my life, 2m is brilliant.

[ThisAintNoPartyThisAintNoDisco]

I’ve been holding back to go bra shopping. I tried online but ended up sending two lots back. But obviously still there’s p&p to pay. Thankfully found one in the end.

The only advantage high street shopping had was the pleasure of browsing and picking things up to look. If we still have to pay to park but everything else is difficult or tiresome who will bother with it?

[RyanStartedTheFire]

Why can’t people just wash/sanitize their hands on entering and leaving?
That's putting a lot of faith in the general public. My friend has been working in a petrol station and has watched multiple different people licking their finger to turn the page in a paper they put back on the shelf.

[TheGreatWave]

Yet we've all been rummaging around in the clothes section at the local supermarket.

[Sparklfairy]

Why can’t people just wash/sanitize their hands on entering and leaving?

I went into Aldi the other day and they have a "hygiene station". It was full of manky discarded tissues, bottles chucked in and on their sides and was anything but hygienic. Leaving the public to their own devices regarding hygiene is a disaster waiting to happen.

[BarbaraofSeville]

That's putting a lot of faith in the general public

I know. There's a Co-op near us (in a naice part of the city that is always recommended as somewhere suitable for a Mumsnetter to live) with a sign on every till asking customers not to hold their money or loyalty card in their mouths before handing it to the cashier.

I'm filthy by Mumsnet standards and the least germphobic person imaginable, but even I was shocked that there was people who needed this pointing out to them.

But back to the point of the OP, I just can't see how it's going to work, if you can't browse, try on or touch things, you might as well just order online, it's not like the shops are going to be fun when they open up, the queues are going to be epic.