People in England who love shopping: what's it like now?

[MorrisZapp]

If you've been to the non essential shops, how was it? I can't wait to go into TK Maxx, John Lewis, Primark, H&M and Oliver Bonas.

Is it still fun? Have you bought anything fab? Is there new stock in or has time stopped in March?

I'm excited for next week opening up in Scotland. Obviously don't answer if you hate shops or want to wait until later to go shopping again.

[Bol87]

I’ve been to 2 shops.. it was not that different to usual bar the queuing & hand sanitiser! The queuing wasted 20 minutes at both shops & frankly puts me off going again! I do have a young baby though, so time is short!

Can’t comment on the change of stock but it seemed seasonal. All the summer stuff was out! Everyone was asked not to touch clothes unnecessarily but that’s not the easiest when the size you are after is in the middle of the rail! I had to move all the smaller sizes out the way! I’m a fairly average size 10 & I thought they may have put the more common sizes to the front (how many people are actually buying size 6?!) but seemingly not in H&M or Next!

[fluffedupferretonsteroids]

I went to primark a couple day ago for essential clothing. What I like is there's less people in the shop and the security were very good at keeping people at 2 meters. There was sanitizer at the entrance but none on the way out which annoyed me a bit.

[onedayinthefuture]

I was in M&S and it was pleasant, walked straight in and no queue. It felt very normal, I wouldn't have noticed it being any different apart from the cafe being closed. In all honesty, I would never get right up close to anyone whilst shopping. They had a big sale on kids clothes so that was brilliant. I guess going during the week helps and the larger the store, the easier it is.

[laurelhedge]

It was weirdly strange but exciting to see new bedding and curtains!

[MorrisZapp]

Woop! I've been shopping for clothes throughout lockdown at Sainsbury's and Morrisons, with absolutely no issues touching stuff.

I really need new jeans. Only T K Maxx will do!

[TabbyMumz]

Its safer in the shops than in the road outside. Noone is following social distancing and just brush past you. Quite frightening really.

[WallsKOL]

You need a bigger bank balance because you can’t try stuff on.
I bought 6 items in H & M yesterday but will be taking 4 of them back. I know the money comes back but at the time it’s gone IYSWIM ?
I was very surprised how many shops HADN’T opened new look, JL, Superdry, Topshop, in fact most of our high street.
H & M & Debenhams was the only big stores open.

[MereDintofPandiculation]

If the not trying things on persists, a lot of shopping will move on-line. there was an interesting bit on Radio 4 early in the week on how they're trying to develop better sizing algorithms which actually match the wide range of women's body shapes. I hope they do the same with shoes - I have wide feet so need to try on, and I'm not yet ready to consign myself to a lifetime of Hotter and Cosyfeet.

[ThanksForAllTheFish]

@MereDinto I hope they do the same with shoes - I have wide feet so need to try on, and I'm not yet ready to consign myself to a lifetime of Hotter and Cosyfeet.

See my worry is the opposite, I have narrow feet and a lot of regular fit shoes are too wide already - maybe 1 out of every 10 pairs I try are ok.
Lots of high street shops already do wide fit ranges alongside standard fit but none do narrow fit.
Lots of shops specialise in wide fit shoes. I think there is one online place that does narrow fit shoes and they are all designed for elderly people. If all shoes got even wider as standard then I would have zero options what so ever.

[Browzingss]

@Bol87

I’ve been to 2 shops.. it was not that different to usual bar the queuing & hand sanitiser! The queuing wasted 20 minutes at both shops & frankly puts me off going again! I do have a young baby though, so time is short!

Can’t comment on the change of stock but it seemed seasonal. All the summer stuff was out! Everyone was asked not to touch clothes unnecessarily but that’s not the easiest when the size you are after is in the middle of the rail! I had to move all the smaller sizes out the way! I’m a fairly average size 10 & I thought they may have put the more common sizes to the front (how many people are actually buying size 6?!) but seemingly not in H&M or Next!

Actually that’s the industry standard way to order sizes of clothes on a rail; it’s supposed to start from the smallest size to largest. Retailers purposely merchandise their rails this way as it’s easier to find a size for everyone, as opposed to randomly filling the rail like you suggest.

Common sizes vary by individual stores (factors are demographics of the local area etc) - it’s not size 10 across the board, therefore every shop you’d go into would have a different common size at the front with your “logic”, confusing customers. Instead retailers place more units of their common sizes out, but still keep them in size order.

I’m a “fairly average” slim woman and buy size 6 from time to time, particularly with H&M where sizing can run large.

[Browzingss]

I haven’t been to any of those shops, but on the whole it’s much more quiet. Never had to queue for longer than a few minutes. There was an overzealous shopping centre security guard that kept moving the Zara queue around, including asking us to stand outside in the rain!

I wouldn’t say the shops have a carefully curated seasonal selection out, at all. It’s literally the same stuff they had before lockdown, with some items rearranged into sale. I was struggling to find anything to buy - even though I had both the balance and inclination to spend.

[starfish4]

A colleague who worked on Saturday, told me the town centre was like Christmas with lots out and queues from all shops that were open. Completely different on Sunday when I was in (I work in a shop that's remained open) - it was very quiet, no queues so a much better experience for people.

[covidmonkey]

I went to town on Monday and Wednesday morning. Town was pretty empty and no queues apart from Primark on Monday. On Wednesday there was no queue to Primark.

[IcyApril]

I’ve been to Zara, House of Fraser, Topshop, Hotel Chocolat and a couple of other places. It’s fantastic! Far better than usual shopping. I much prefer it.

[Smileyoriley]

I've been out last week and today. If there's been a queue to get in I've given it a miss. M&S and Primark were both fine today, no queues to get in but shortish queue to pay in Primark. Both well organised and laid out, baskets cleaned and hand gel available. Surprised I was the only person wearing a mask though!
I usually love TKMaxx but didn't feel the same as I didn't feel like browsing yet.

[Tootytata]

Are there one way systems in stores? Do staff have to wear face masks? Just trying to gauge how different shops look inside.

[Browzingss]

I think it’s up to their discretion whether they wear masks or not, the majority of staff are though. Many customers too.

Yes, there are one way systems in place.