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Original poster

If you queued for Primark or Sports Direct today, why did you do it?

183 replies

Davespecifico · 15/06/2020 16:09

Just interested as I couldn’t bear it. There are cheap clothes from companies online. What was the attraction?

OP posts:
ErickBroch · 15/06/2020 17:06

Classist media storm as per usual. People were queueing outside John Lewis for cashmere jumpers and mulberry bags, and outside waterstones, but no one seems to care about that.

Tianalia · 15/06/2020 17:06

I assumed that maybe people had run out of clothes or they'd worn out, or their kids had grown out of them or something. Primarks not particularly good quality and doesn't last long (not in my house anyway) so if that's what people normally buy then they possibly need to replace it. And it's obviously cheap. Or maybe it's because people actually want to go there because they like it. It's my idea of hell personally but then again I don't like shopping anyway.

BakewellGin1 · 15/06/2020 17:10

My friend went as NHS staff discount meant she has stocked up on trainers, footy boots, gym wear and children's tracksuits for the rest of the year saving an absolute fortune...

I could do with a trip to Primark but am letting the craziness calm down first and will go in couple of weeks...

Myself I need some summer footwear, jeans and tshirts... Children need summer clothes that I don't mind them getting filthy...

Plus at the moment I can't justify paying the prices other places as I have bigger worries about paying for things other then clothes

TrickyKid · 15/06/2020 17:10

I would assume they are on a very low income and desperate for clothes? Maybe the kids have outgrown theirs and there's no online alternative. I can't imagine anyone would go to primark for the fun of it.

AlexisCarringtonColbyDexter · 15/06/2020 17:13

I really dont get posts like this.

People acting absolutely baffled that others dont behave the same as them! Ok- maybe you dont want to queue to get to Primark but clearly, other people do. Is it really beyond the realms of your imagination to accept that other people might GASP like different things to you?

Maybe they need clothing, maybe theyre fcking bored of going for a walk, maybe they are desperately lonely and want to be around others, maybe this represents going back to a tiny modicum of normality for them and it makes them feel good. Do any of those reasons meet with your approval OP? or are you still baffled and confused?!

Original poster
Davespecifico · 15/06/2020 17:13

MissCowell - you’re reading judgement in that isn’t intended. I’m feeling nosey and Mumsnet has people who might answer me and might not.
I haven’t commanded anyone to reply.

OP posts:
HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 15/06/2020 17:14

I haven't been today but DD desperately needs a trip to clarks to get her feet measured, she's grown 3inches since the start of lockdown and I'm sure her feet have grown, she's currently living in a pair of flip flops but they won't do long term.

Original poster
Davespecifico · 15/06/2020 17:14

Thanks for replies all.

OP posts:
EnidsCrochetCorner · 15/06/2020 17:15

Primark children's t shirts are £1.80 I believe the men's sizes are £2.50. They are incredible value for growing teenage boys. As are their joggers and shorts.

I thought this about Ikea when people were saying God how much do people need meatballs? Whereas I was thinking my friend has been told they are working from home until at least the end of the year and her dining chair is fucking killing her back.

I think for some there is genuine need to shop, for others just boredom. Ds2 has grown out of all of his shoes so can't even go out if he wanted to. He is an H+ fitting so it is impossible to just order stuff online. We are waiting for the crazy to die down before we go out to get shoes. He'll have to wear his older brothers to the shop. This is going to be ridiculous.

Original poster
Davespecifico · 15/06/2020 17:18

Alexis - you’re reading judgement that wasn’t intended. l said, “I couldn’t bear it.” I didn’t say, “I couldn’t bear it because I’m a superior person”

OP posts:
Lavenderpurple · 15/06/2020 17:20

I’m guessing because they want to. And as shops are open, surely that is an invite to go. I’m sure the government will be happy to have people spending plenty of money and I don’t blame them. The economy is in a very deep hole.

jamandtonic · 15/06/2020 17:20

I didn't read the op as being snide at all

I did. Those two shops in particular (and the people who necessarily shop in them) always come in for a lot of stick on here. Why mention those, and not any number of other more expensive retail outlets?

The implication is that it is fine to queue for a £600 handbag, but not a £3 t-shirt or some £25 trainers.

Regretful123 · 15/06/2020 17:20

I can’t wait to go to primark home

Stereomum · 15/06/2020 17:22

I havent been to primark today but I will be later this week because my autistic Ds chews his t shirts, so he tends to go through a lot of tops!
Primark dont have online shopping so I will have to queue, he will only wear certain t shirts and primark come up tops for his comfort.

Eckhart · 15/06/2020 17:22

@AlexisCarringtonColbyDexter

I don't think there's anything wrong with asking people what it is they enjoy about their pass times, or any need to get defensive about it.

Face to face, it's often just a way of showing you're interested, a way of opening up the conversation and asking them to talk about themselves. Imagine if you were out with a friend and you said 'So, what is it you love about horse riding, then?', and the friend said 'Well, there's no need to ask judgmental questions!!' It's just silly.

People acting absolutely baffled that others dont behave the same as them doesn't make sense. Nobody is saying 'Why the HELL are all these weirdos doing this crazy, idiot behaviour that I would NEVER stoop to doing myself?!' It's just a simple 'So, how come you enjoy it?'

There's a lot of defensiveness from the shoppers. Which makes it even more fascinating. Why such defensiveness?!

Rafflesway · 15/06/2020 17:23

DH and I went to our nearest Boundary Mills store today!

It was really quiet, no queues at all and everyone seemed to really respect the 2m social distancing rule. (Trolley handles were sprayed and wiped and hand sanitizer available at the entrance.)

We didn’t actually NEED anything - although we did make a couple of small purchases - but we were just desperate for something different to do/a change of scenery. Also, the staff want to stay in employment and all seemed really pleased to see customers.

We buy lots of stuff online but want to help people keep their jobs now shops are open. We are lucky to be comfortably retired but remember the days when we faced the worry of redundancy with a mortgage and associated bills to pay.☹️

Followthelight99 · 15/06/2020 17:23

You are not being snide at all.

My guess is that they are taking the opportunity to go in the shops hoping they will be less busy, as they know there are lots of people (like me) who are too scared to brave them!

Colycola · 15/06/2020 17:26

Dd works in primark. She went to work for the first time on Saturday for training prior to opening.

The queues are there because they are severely limiting the amount of people who can go into the shop and they’ve taken out over half the tills.

Dd has been sent a video of how she should work and I must say they’ve done a good job in making sure the risk is diminished. Hand sanitizers everywhere (in her store at least), ppe available for staff and one way systems.

Il leave it a couple of weeks then I’ll go.

Orangeblossom78 · 15/06/2020 17:26

Oh I agree OP could they not have chosen somewhere pleasant to queue for such as M&S or John Lewis.

How grim to be waiting for such horrible shops like that. I despair. I couldn't bare it either. Ugh.

WhatWouldYouDoWhatWouldJesusDo · 15/06/2020 17:27

Because people need jobs.

There's been a big campaign in my town to get people shopping today and in the future. All socially distanced and with a one in, one out policy.

Corona virus has devastated my little town, it will take years to get back to normal........and those people dragging their sorry arses out and going into shops are putting money into the economy and providing wages........the message on our local FB pages has very much been people are holding back on spending on the likes of Amazon and will be spending that money locally instead.

Russellbrandshair · 15/06/2020 17:27

I did. Those two shops in particular (and the people who necessarily shop in them) always come in for a lot of stick on here. Why mention those, and not any number of other more expensive retail outlets

I did too. It comes across as snidey to me aswell.
Like kind of “why on earth would you do xyz? I couldn’t BEAR it!”.

The reason people have gone to primark is because they want to. That’s it. It’s really not that deep lol

Eckhart · 15/06/2020 17:27

@jamandtonic

*Those two shops in particular (and the people who necessarily shop in them) always come in for a lot of stick on here. Why mention those, and not any number of other more expensive retail outlets?

The implication is that it is fine to queue for a £600 handbag, but not a £3 t-shirt or some £25 trainers*

Those were the ones mentioned in the BBC news, so they were obvious reference points. Apparently John Lewis had massive queues too but weren't referenced in the article I read (which prompted my questions)

NailsNeedDoing · 15/06/2020 17:30

I went to primark today just because I could, and because I wanted a couple of new t shirts. There was no queue.

heartsonacake · 15/06/2020 17:32

You should be grateful. These people are out there restarting the economy.

alreadytaken · 15/06/2020 17:34

Did you go to Bicester village instead?