Do you think the end of high street shopping is nigh?

[Beatrixpotterspencil]

Lots of talk about stores folding, large retail, those you might have thought wouldn’t go under.

It’s been edging this way since shopping online, but I think coronavirus has given some the final push.....

It’s sad in many ways, the end of an era and all that, but also Worrying for smaller businesses that relied upon the larger stores pulling foot fall towards them.

The town my family live in closed their M&S a few months before covid. Many stores surrounding it have now closed.

What businesses do you think are teetering on the edge right now?
And do you think it’s the end of the high street as we know it?

Well, I don’t see the point in buying clothes from high street chain shops if I can’t try them on. I just went into town, bought two pairs of trousers I wasn’t allowed to try on, got home and they are both too tight. What a waste of time! So now I have to go back and exchange them (& the shop doesn’t give store credit, you have to find something to swap them for that very day).

I’m hugely worried about the lack of footfall from both the high street closing, and also the impact of missing footfall as a consequence of offices etc being shut. The knock on effect of this is going to be so far-reaching. It terrifies me.

@Ritascornershop It’s tedious isn’t it. And it helps no one. They do need to alter exchange policies at moment.

@WeveGottaGetTherouxThis
I know. It’s worrying. I’ve always Moaned about high street shops but don’t wish them to fold. It might not be my thing, but I’m worried about how this will affect so many people’s livelihoods.

I live rural but am staying with DP in a northern town. Barely anyone is in the shops. I had predicted masses rushing in, especially primark, but no.
The shop staff are stood outside the stores with sanitiser, chatting, smiling, waiting. But it’s not good.

Ironically, my rural home, with hardly any shops, is packed.

I would say so yes

It's sad and I'm not even much of a shopper

I don't think it's the end of high street shopping but it will take a hit for a while. Online shopping found its place but people will always venture out to buy too. Right now we are in a weird place with social distancing but that won't be forever.

My nearest town has been in decline for some time, unless you want coffee, to gamble, fast food, plastic £1 shop tat or your nails doing. House of Fraser and M&S closed, The Main Street died a death when the small shopping centre opened over 20 years ago and that didn’t look to cracking the last time I went. Lots of students as there is a university, although at the moment, so plenty of bars but no decent shops and drug addicts asking for change. The council dislike cars so short of hiring snipers, have done as much as possible to keep drivers out. I don’t see it will bounce back.

I hope it’s not the end, as I like having a browse. I’ve missed looking in shops during the pandemic but I rarely “go shopping” as I work in a city centre and would usually go for a look around before or after work, or at lunchtimes. Saturdays and Sundays trooping round the shops haven’t really appealed since I was a student. Kids and teens will continue to be the driving force of high street shopping, as it’s about the experience for them as well as the actual purchases.

The recent spate of online shopping has made me realise I need to get better at identifying fabrics. I ordered a dress from H&M that is made from awful material, and despite liking the cut and design, would have ignored it in the shop if I’d have given it a feel. I’ll definitely be back in shops sooner rather than later.

@YorkieTheRabbit
that’s interesting.
I’m in Lake District and hadn’t looked at it that way. Shops here, although few, are busy due to visitors and whilst many are struggling at the moment, will likely thrive.
One issue here is councils have tried to get main roads shut to allow more pedestrian space (we need it!), but businesses have pushed back Against it.
So we have no pedestrian space, and very busy roads.

@Ritascornershop I pretty sure you’re allowed a refund if you weren’t able to try the items on.
I worked in a shop and we only offered credit notes or exchanges but another store in the neighbouring town had no changing room so legally had to give refunds.

@Lalalamps - I’m not in the UK and the owners of this chain are bastards and I’m very close to being done with them. I’ve certainly learned my lesson about buying things I can’t try on (so only buying jackets, coats, and sweaters from now on).

If you cant browse and try things on I don't see the point of shopping, might as well just do it online. But I guess eventually that will change.

Our high street is mostly dead already. We have a lot of charity shops, a cinema and food places, but not much else. I have been shopping online for years now as even if I wanted to buy something, there are very few options save for primark.

I think it is common though as most people I know shop online now and those that didn't have started during lockdown.

I’ve lived in this town for nearly six years. During that time, big stores like HoF, Laura Ashley, Jacques Vert, HMV, have closed and most of the smaller independents are now gone, or only online.

If you want to eat or have a coffee, there are loads, but actually buying clothes etc, there’s very little left.

I think there will be very little point in going there, unless you want tat or a meal. I think Oasis will have gone, Next will go because they’re focusing on out of town locations, Phase 8 will struggle, as will M&S.