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Original poster

Anyone else found supermarkets quieter than expected?

98 replies

Stopclutchingpearls · 21/12/2022 21:34

I went shopping Monday morning and Lidl was busy but not overly. So I thought ok it’s a whole week to Xmas that may be why however just popped into ASDA today about half five tonight and it really wasn’t that busy no more than I normally see ok may be a few more but nothing notable.
so this is in the North of England I say Thais because I am thinking is it cost of living? Is it that this year because of a few factors like cost of living are people not as bothered to go shopping?
Or is it still quite early and Xmas eve will be busy ?
so how have you found shops near you?

OP posts:
Probablymagrat · 21/12/2022 21:38

Yes, went to Aldi to get the fruit and veg, and it was really quiet. I did get there by 9, but previous years its been heaving by now.

MayThe4th · 21/12/2022 21:43

God no. If anything they’ve been busier. I was in M&S the other day and a woman helping me commented when I said how busy it was, “I thought we were in a cost of living crisis, but people seem to not be given the amount of money they’re spending.

Original poster
Stopclutchingpearls · 21/12/2022 21:54

Probablymagrat · 21/12/2022 21:38

Yes, went to Aldi to get the fruit and veg, and it was really quiet. I did get there by 9, but previous years its been heaving by now.

i wish we could do a poll about if it’s to do with areas?

OP posts:
Original poster
Stopclutchingpearls · 21/12/2022 21:55

MayThe4th · 21/12/2022 21:43

God no. If anything they’ve been busier. I was in M&S the other day and a woman helping me commented when I said how busy it was, “I thought we were in a cost of living crisis, but people seem to not be given the amount of money they’re spending.

Do you live in a richer area we don’t even have a marks near me or Waitrose as my area isn’t rich at all

OP posts:
GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 21/12/2022 21:55

M&S was heaving today.

TheHound86 · 21/12/2022 21:56

I was working in one this morning and it was a lot busier than a normal Wednesday morning.

Whendovescry03 · 21/12/2022 21:56

We went to Sainsburys yesterday evening and it was pretty busy. I expect it will only get busier!

Hawkins001 · 21/12/2022 21:57

On my usual shopping day, all were very busy

XenoBitch · 21/12/2022 21:57

Maybe calm before the storm.

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 21/12/2022 21:58

I went to the hairdressers at the weekend and it was dead. Stylist said it had been the quietest run up to Christmas that she can remember.

Kenwoodmixitup · 21/12/2022 21:59

Norwich and heaving every day so far this week, in fact since Black Friday. Agree. Cost of living crisis?

RewildingAmbridge · 21/12/2022 21:59

M&S was heaving on Sunday, and I popped into the Tesco near work today and it was so busy it was ridiculous, every till open, huge queues, stacked trollies etc. I walked out I only wanted a couple of things and nothing urgent

Probablymagrat · 21/12/2022 22:00

Im on the Gloucester/Hereford border. So a really mixed area, some seriously rich blighters, loads of middling just about managing, and some really quite deprived bits.

Beanbagtrap · 21/12/2022 22:00

We've done a large online shop this week with standard food, we aren't buying anything for Xmas as we are going to MiL's, so we have specifically done that to avoid the Xmas shop madness, I suspect a lot of people have done the same.

Needmorelego · 21/12/2022 22:02

A lot more people do home delivery these days though.

EspeciallyD · 21/12/2022 22:02

I went to M&S at 8am today (opened at 7). It was empty.

mondaytosunday · 21/12/2022 22:03

Popped in to Waitrose for a few things on Monday (Christmas click and collect scheduled for Friday) and it definitely was busier than usual.

BluebirdRobin · 21/12/2022 22:10

More people shop online nowadays but I do think people are holding out in hope to get bargains...

I've noticed a big shift this year in retailers not reducing stuff. For instance M&S always had offers on up to half price for Xmas cards/wrapping paper and decs in the week leading up to Christmas. This year its very limited indeed.

ApproachingTheBig40 · 21/12/2022 22:13

Tesco was rammed last night around 7pm
Asda was too 6pm Saturday.

I have to go get milk etc tomorrow but that's it will do during day if i can get the teen out of bed and wait with younger ones. Few days before xmas, kids that hate shopping = disaster.
If not ill go when dh gets home

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 21/12/2022 22:14

sainsburys very quiet around 2pm, south east.

justasking111 · 21/12/2022 22:18

Schools longer term so parents working, daytime here is quieter. DIL's went evening shopping non food said it was lovely and quiet.

So many online deliveries now. Tomorrow and Friday maybe busy though

Pelo22 · 21/12/2022 22:18

I'm in the NW
My dad went to Aldi (also NW) and said it was heaving, cars queuing for spaces
I went to my local one, parked right outside and there was not even a queue at the tills
So Confused pass!

Littleguggi · 21/12/2022 22:19

People are still in the habit of online shopping/ click and collect since the pandemic

Puddington · 21/12/2022 22:20

No, everywhere around here has been heaving all month tbh. Almost got mown down several times in Tesco on Monday 😲We definitely don't live in a wealthy town but people have been spending more than ever lately.

Original poster
Stopclutchingpearls · 21/12/2022 22:22

Thanks folks for answering very interesting ideas about online etc.

OP posts:
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