Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Just back from grocery shop... very civilised

66 replies

lovemenorca · 23/12/2019 17:06

Reading some of the threads about people shopping at midnight; the stress; the hassle; inconsiderate shoppers; drama with frazzled shop assistants; food shortages etc etc

I saw none of that. Not even a hint.

Waitrose.... it was busy but everything in stock, nice buzz about the place, limited queue, zero drama or stress. Sometimes I wonder if I live on a different planet to some mumsnetters!

Anyone also had pleasant shopping experience today?!

OP posts:
Winterdaysarehere · 23/12/2019 17:07

Mine was amazing.
Handed dh a list last night and let him crack on!!

EnglishGirlApproximately · 23/12/2019 17:10

Yep, got to Aldi about 9 this morning expecting chaos and was out with everything on my list in half an hour, didn't even have to queue which is rare on a normal day there! Also had to go into our nearest town for DS dentist appointment and while it was busy we had no problem parking and queues were fine Smile

billybagpuss · 23/12/2019 17:12

Marks looked like a swarm of locusts had attacked it.

EntirelyAnonymised · 23/12/2019 17:13

I went to Waitrose with DH this morning (two trolleys needs two bodies) and it was rammed. I wouldn’t describe it as “pleasant” but it was ok. The only thing not in stock was my pre-ordered cheese but they gave us free cheese to the equivalent value (£28!), so no harm done.

Original poster
lovemenorca · 23/12/2019 17:14

Honestly seems like this year - a bit less frenetic. I’m not aware of a must have toy selling on eBay for 5000x its RRP, parking seems normal, traffic slightly more than normal, shopping centres busy but manageable
Perhaps the tide is turning? At least around here (SE)

OP posts:
formerbabe · 23/12/2019 17:14

I've been to Aldi and Sainsburys...both fine, plenty of parking spaces and no long queues.

Original poster
lovemenorca · 23/12/2019 17:16

Oh and I managed to get a doctors app for this afternoon. The waiting room had one person in it!

OP posts:
RandomMess · 23/12/2019 17:16

Depends where you live I guess. Everyone where I live now would think this supermarket is rammed, having moved from somewhere with a high population density per supermarket sq foot DH and I think it's civilised 😆

Alas no cantaloupe melon Sad

Jackrussellsarecute · 23/12/2019 17:18

Booths was very civilised! Xmas Smile

Finfintytint · 23/12/2019 17:19

Morrison’s was busy but not a problem to park or shop. Quite pleasant except it’s a new store and nobody knows where everything is so that slowed me down a bit.
High Street car park was very busy but I only needed to go to estate agents and solicitor.

Tonii1985 · 23/12/2019 17:20

They're hideous near me. Have only had to pop in for bits thankfully, got the main shop delivered.

StarlingsInSummer · 23/12/2019 17:22

DH and I went to M&S and Sainsbury’s this morning - they were crowded but we were in and out within 45 minutes and that includes driving between the two (out of town, on different sites) stores. Nothing out of stock, no fighting, queues perfectly manageable, parking ok... I have to pick up the turkey tomorrow from Waitrose and get fresh bread, I’m hoping it’s just as civilised!

YukoandHiro · 23/12/2019 17:25

I think the same @lovemenorca - seems to be much less grabby buy-it-for-the-sake-of-it shopping this year. It's a relief.

isseywith4vampirecats · 23/12/2019 17:25

went to aldi and Iceland yesterday afternoon both exactly the same as a normal week except for the choice of lots of Christmas goodies to pick from so spent more money than I normally would

Original poster
lovemenorca · 23/12/2019 17:26

This is really positive to hear!

OP posts:
TheDogsMother · 23/12/2019 17:26

Went to a Waitrose yesterday. It was busy but not unpleasant. Staff were super busy restocking shelves and I managed to get everything on my list

SnuggyBuggy · 23/12/2019 17:28

Maybe the timing of Christmas day has split the shopping rush depending on when people are off work

GrapefruitGin · 23/12/2019 17:29

Bit of a pain finding parking but we had a pretty civilised/productive shop today too! Marks, Aldi & a few high street stores for last min presents. Oh and Sainsbury’s! Home now, load of washing done, dressing gown & slippers on, food shop all put away, prosecco poured... bring on Christmas Eve!

Swinesinsleepingbags · 23/12/2019 17:31

I actually think it's just a sad reflection on what actually happens at Christmas now (in regards to the high street) the majority is bought online, my Amazon delivery person said it's been unbelievably busy, he is barely coping with the volume of parcels. So the spending has just moved to a less viable place.
In regards to the must have toy. I think it's even sadder. Kids don't really want toys anymore they want computer consoles and money to buy things in game, if the PS5 had been released at Christmas I think that would have been out of stock. (yes I know your kids still want Toys..)

drspouse · 23/12/2019 17:31

I had to take the DCs as DH was working today but we spent way way longer sitting in traffic than actually in the shop.

TheElfFellOffTheShelf · 23/12/2019 17:34

Tesco, home bargains and iceland on Saturday were hellish. I got everything apart from an item that has a recall notice on it though.

I saw on fb earlier that it's taken an hour to get the 4 miles into our nearest town due to the traffic getting to Tesco. I haven't dared go out at all today.

MrsScrubbithatescleaning · 23/12/2019 17:35

Yep, very civilised, as usual.
My local supermarket is a family owned Supervalu franchise. I had a headache and so sat on the bench waiting for DH to get through the tills and I was chatting next to an elderly lady waiting for her son. Apparently, she's hosting 14 for Christmas but the adult children will be doing all the work. Good for her and them!
The daughter (mid-30's) of the supermarket owner came over and asked if we'd like a cup of tea whilst waiting.
They had lots of teenage staff working today helping people pack their trollies and wheeling them through the car park.

They know how to look after their customers. Smile

FurryDogMother · 23/12/2019 17:41

We went to Tesco (in Ireland) this morning, around 11 am, all was calm and peaceful. There were heaps of netted sprouts, parsnips, carrots, loads of fresh turkeys, and no queue at the checkouts. Got everything we needed (and more) and home in time for an afternoon doze. All good here!

Qwerty09876 · 23/12/2019 17:42

(NE) went to Morrison's and ASDA it was manic but to be honest in both shops as we went to Q they just put someone on and we got there GrinDC on the other hand were 'fed up!' But for the time of year much better than last year! Xmas Grin

Crunchymum · 23/12/2019 17:42

Went to Sainsbury's, M&S and Tiger about midday today.

Tiger was fine and the most empty I've seen it in a while. M&S was busy, not unbearable but if I'd not "needed" something I'd have left. Sainsbury's was like an absolute war zone. I only went in for wine (which didn't turn up with my order earlier.... grrr) and some festive flowers (Sainsburys do the best ones for a reasonable price!!) so I was good for the self check out, which had a humongous queue. To be fair it didn't take too long and was well managed. Lots of staff on self check out etc. From what I saw there was a good amount of stock [all the Xmas veg was on display but I was only there for wine Wine]

I am not going to even chance it tomorrow though. I'm done with the shops!!