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Original poster

So, how bad is it near you?

141 replies

LoudestRoar · 22/12/2018 11:32

DH was in Asda by 8am thos morning, and he said it was carnage.

The local town centre has had hour long queues for the car parks the last couple of days, with warnings it's going to be worse this weekend.
Luckily, we're all done now, but is any one else stuck in the chaos?

OP posts:
wowfudge · 23/12/2018 08:59

I went to the Trafford Centre early afternoon yesterday in between visiting friends and family and the traffic was fine, I got a parking space straightaway and it was more relaxed than the previous weekend when I needed to get some gifts not just a sandwich for my lunch.

The queue to the roundabout for Asda and Costco was the busiest place in the area and even that didn't cause much of a delay.

I think a lot of people did their food shopping on Thursday and Friday and those who are staying with family and going away travel over the weekend. I used to work near the TC and it was never stupidly busy very close to Christmas because people think it will be and avoid. It's worse (much, much worse) on Boxing Day.

Alltheprettyseahorses · 23/12/2018 09:15

Tesco yesterday morning was absolutely chocka but bearable, with lots of efficient, polite staff filling up shelves everywhere. Asda on the other hand was the 11th circle of hell: although there were a lot less people, they were all walking at approx. 17cm per hour and stopping at the ends of aisles, blocking them with their overflowing trollies, to chat with each other about how you couldn't get round the shop.

Crunchymum · 23/12/2018 09:22

I popped into M&S and Sainsbury's yesterday. Both were fine. I was collecting a clothing order in M&S, it took them a while to find it but I was the only customer there!!

Sainsbury's was busy but no more than a normal Saturday? I used the self check out and didn't have to queue.

I have my food shopping coming today and everything is there..... barring the dessert so I'm going to have to brave the shops today or tomorrow Shock

Accountant222 · 23/12/2018 09:23

I did Aldi last Tuesday for me mince pies, nuts, cheese and prawns ( which I've frozen).

I'm pretty new to online grocery delivery but since moving to the sticks, I now use Ocado.

Ocado emailed in October about reserving Christmas slots and I honestly thought I'd one booked, but did my online shop Thursday and for the life of me couldn't find my reservation and of course there were no delivery slots available. I phoned them and because I didn't do my Christmas shop in October I lost my slot, I'm pretty well organised but would have no idea in October what my requirements would be in December.

I went to Morrison's Friday evening, it wasn't to bad.

Lesson learned re Christmas shop and Ocado

ChesterGreySideboard · 23/12/2018 09:38

There are generally threads in here about people booking their Christmas delivery slot in October. You just fill it up with champagne or such like and then update it to what you need in December.

adaline · 23/12/2018 09:42

I was in Tesco last night. In and out in twenty minutes, loads of stock and no queues whatsoever.

Aragog · 23/12/2018 09:46

Went to Meadowhall yesterday. I'd normally avoid this time of year but had no choice.
Was fine. I was surprised that it wasn't manic at all. Got all of jobs done fairly quickly and even time for a coffee break. No big queues, but even in the m and s food hall.

wowfudge · 23/12/2018 10:02

@Accountant222 - with Ocado fill your trolley with some bottles of champagne to get up to the required minimum in order to confirm the slot. Then you replace as required with your actual shopping. NB they prioritise the customer who had something in their checked out basket first if there are low stocks. They also phoned me last weekend to remind me to finalise my shopping to be sure of getting what I wanted. I had one item they didn't have at all and three substitutions, all of which I rejected and was able to get the things I had ordered in Waitrose.

OddestSock · 23/12/2018 10:09

I went to Tesco at 9pm last night. Very civilised (I always go at this time because it's when I've finished work & I can go without the kids)

EastMidsGPs · 23/12/2018 11:01

M&S food hall in nearby town has security guard on door limiting the number of people entering at any one time. Apparently there is a 15 minute wait to get into the store Confused

Reason given is to bring the delays at the tills down

NoWordForFluffy · 23/12/2018 14:58

The small shopping park in Burscough which houses Booths, Aldi and B&M was utter chaos at lunch time. I drove round once, then headed away and parked just round the corner instead. It wouldn't have been feasible if I needed heavy stuff, but I didn't, so it was fine.

Starlight456 · 23/12/2018 15:01

I went to Aldi and Morrison’s last night at 6 . Neither over busy

Accountant222 · 23/12/2018 15:35

@wowfudge thanks for that I’ll remember for next year x

OliviaStabler · 23/12/2018 15:41

Heard two women had a noisy bust up in Morrisons. They'd sold out of sprouts and two women were going at it over the last packet.

JustLurkingAway · 23/12/2018 15:43

Did M&S and Tesco today, bit of carnage in M&S as some poor kid has thrown up right in front of the Christmas food section with the roast potatoes etcSad

Tesco was also a bit mad, managed to do scan and go thingy, all in all got out in 2 hours!

wellhonestly · 23/12/2018 15:54

Near Edinburgh. Sailed past cars queuing for the M&S Food store at Straiton (on our way to Ikea which was surprisingly bearable). Then went to another retail park (Fort Kinnaird) - it was busy but we found a space OK and there were attendants managing the traffic very well.

I've done all my Christmas food shopping locally (small town) on Saturday.

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