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Original poster

Retail seems to have dropped off a cliff?

104 replies

Neverendingdust · 14/06/2022 14:10

Went into Manchester City centre yesterday and couldn’t believe how quiet it was even for a Monday especially as it was a lovely sunny day, the shopping centre and Selfridges were rather lacking in customers which given the current economic climate isn’t a shock I know but still…

I have a few friends in retail and they’re all saying how quiet it is in the city.

Obviously the rising cost of living issue is having a widespread impact but I’m wondering if those on here who work in retail (not just supermarkets but fashion, home, entertainment etc) have seen a massive decline the last month or so too around the country? Has everyone simply stopped spending?

OP posts:
Abra1d1 · 14/06/2022 14:19

I have spent very little on clothes this year: only things that are absolute essentials. One pair of thick outdoor socks. One dress for a wedding (bought using John Lewis vouchers). One item of underwear.

That's it.

Morenamesandpasswords · 14/06/2022 14:26

Online.

Smintz · 14/06/2022 14:26

I thought exactly the same when I went to Manchester recently. Noticeably really quiet. I was quite shocked.
I guess with many people working from home and the cost of everything it's stopping people going into Manchester?

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Cost of living
Crocky · 14/06/2022 14:26

I find less available to buy each time I go shopping so I am going less. Many of the shops I would have bought from are no longer there.

Octomore · 14/06/2022 14:31

This is noticeable in Leeds too. Fewer people shopping in town, plus some shops have closed, and a lot of shops not holding normal stock levels. It's a vicious cycle.

I also think a lot of people have cut their spending because of the cost of living crisis.

Daisyhoney · 14/06/2022 14:31

I live in the south in an average sized town and it's always busy when I go in - lots of people milling about although that doesn't mean they're buying anything. The restaurants are really busy too - we've struggled to get into places on a Saturday lunchtime.

Mushroo · 14/06/2022 14:34

I used to be in Manchester everyday so would
often pop to the shops at lunchtime.

Im now predominately working from home (and always on a Monday) and I expect quite a few people are similar which will have a knock on effect to retail.

MushyPeasPrincess · 14/06/2022 14:40

My local town is ok but I guess online shopping, not wanting to pay to drive in and park with high fuel costs, and the general cost of living issue will be affecting city centre retailers.

justanotherlaura · 14/06/2022 14:41

I've bought quite a few bits of clothing this year but all the shops near me seem to have got rid of their maternity section so it's all had to be online

Original poster
Neverendingdust · 14/06/2022 14:53

Smintz · 14/06/2022 14:26

I thought exactly the same when I went to Manchester recently. Noticeably really quiet. I was quite shocked.
I guess with many people working from home and the cost of everything it's stopping people going into Manchester?

Maybe working from home is still more widespread than I thought? It just seemed oddly quiet and it’s been like that for a good few weeks now according to a lady in Selfridges when I mentioned it.

I suppose more people could be travelling abroad at this time of year too whereas last year everywhere felt super busy because people had nowhere else to easily go to.

OP posts:
Wexone · 14/06/2022 15:15

I used to be a shopper in shops every week, covid made me realise don't need half as much. Now only go into town when need things or to meet friends with for lunch or coffee. Sometimes look for a browse but find selection is not as good and quality gone downhill. My local town is mostly charity shops and pound shops now

Ilovechoc12 · 14/06/2022 15:39

Car park is very expensive - wouldn’t mind if they give you free couple of hrs if you spend £40 or something. Plus you get to the shop and they don’t have your size. Far easier online

whenwillthemadnessend · 14/06/2022 15:46

Probably all queuing at the airport

stargirl1701 · 14/06/2022 15:50

We've moved to buying 90% second hand for ethical reasons.

imnottoofussed · 14/06/2022 16:01

It was still as busy as usual at the weekend in Manchester so possibly is that people are wfh in the week

Original poster
Neverendingdust · 14/06/2022 16:04

imnottoofussed · 14/06/2022 16:01

It was still as busy as usual at the weekend in Manchester so possibly is that people are wfh in the week

The weekend in Manchester was an anomaly though because of all the music events going on, Ed Sheehan, The Killers, Alicia Keys, Parklife etc. But I agree it is noticeably busier at weekends anyway. Just wondered what it was like in other towns and cities…

OP posts:
Clymene · 14/06/2022 16:08

Monday is the day lots of people WFH. I live in the centre of a small town and my street has no parking restrictions so there are normally no spaces by 8.30. That stopped during lockdown but Monday is the one day that's it's pretty much just residents.

Frolicinameadow · 14/06/2022 16:10

Work in retail supply.
sales have declined so it’s not online vs instore. It’s that people have been locked up for 2+ years and are now spending on trips, seeing family etc. Plus the cost of living crisis.

Newgirls · 14/06/2022 16:10

I love clothes etc but but I buy far less than I used to due to eco reasons. Just don’t need it.

motogirl · 14/06/2022 16:12

I've given up goi g to the shops because the ones I liked have all closed down. There's nothing I want to buy these days... I went with a £2-300 budget to buy new clothes for my big trip and bought nothing recently

TwinklingFairyLights · 14/06/2022 16:15

Not Manchester but a reasonable sized northern town. I went out for dinner last Saturday and drinks this Saturday. Absolutely dead both nights. This is a contrast to 4/6 weeks ago when everything seemed busy.

IcedOatLatte · 14/06/2022 16:22

I don't go shopping during the working week so can't comment on that but my local small market town was busy on Saturday, queues at the tills and car parks busy so not everywhere is dead

TwinklingFairyLights · 14/06/2022 16:24

IcedOatLatte · 14/06/2022 16:22

I don't go shopping during the working week so can't comment on that but my local small market town was busy on Saturday, queues at the tills and car parks busy so not everywhere is dead

I think it depends on the demographics. My mum's wealthy pensioner town still seems busy.

Mine is more working age / families and it's noticeably quieter over the last few weeks.

100Stickers · 14/06/2022 16:25

I work for a furniture retailer in the south. Its totally dead. I'm probably dealing with about a third of my usual work load and I can't see it improving any time soon. It's all a bit worrying to be honest.

nancy75 · 14/06/2022 16:25

I’m in London - going out to & eat drink seems busier than ever but shopping definitely quieter.
At the moment I’m at a loss as to where I would go shopping - loads of shops I used to buy from have gone & as I’m plus size virtually everything I buy is online because they don’t stock it in shops!
I used to love shopping but at the moment it feels like shops don’t love me!