What shops do you love going into?

[Limth]

I don't mean shops you like because they're products are good quality, or because they're reliable for certain things, or because their customer service is great.

I mean what shops do you go in and think "Yes, I love it in here".

For me its Iceland Food Warehouse. Our local one is massive, really clean, really well-stocked and I always find completely random oven-able beige goods.
I could genuinely browse for hours.

We also have Boyes in my local high street. It's like a mini department store that sells basically everything you could think of. It's like stepping back in time. I absolutely adore it.

Waterstones at Piccadilly Circus
food-hall at Harrods (but only on the rare occasions when it’s not packed in there)

A long time ago, when I was a horsy girl in Lancashire, Derby House Saddlery. There was another kind of horsy girl supermarket off the motorway near Aintree but I can't remember its name now.

Mmmn. Smell of leather.

I like Cuir de Russie men's aftershave/scent by Chanel as well which is meant to smell of Russian cavalry officers riding boots.

Oh dear. I've said too much.

Oh god. I miss Jenners. That huge Christmas tree and the amazing toy department. <cries>

A Disney shop always makes me feel 6 years old again. Love the smell of Lush (controversial!) Waterstones. Love a department store too. And a US Abercrombie circa 2002. Oh and Victoria's Secret, love the dark moody atmosphere!

I love M&S still - I feel safe in there, like nothing bad could happen. Probably because my mum virtually lived in there when I was a child, so it feels like home

I do miss Wilko and Woolworths and all the old department stores though.

Booths and Waitrose. There aren't any near us so it feels like we're on holiday when I go in.

A local electronics shop really impresses me with their level of community engagement and loyalty to staff.

They've kept a niche, though, by catering to hobbies such as needle crafts, model making and even fishing and they've opened new stores in recent years. We got a new one in a retail park a couple of years ago and it's always busy.

Yes I know, its good they're there and there are loads of them all over. But with QVC and the internet for needle crafters and hobbyists and basically anything available online its bizarre they keep going.

Perfect Fit, an independent lingerie shop in my home town of Keynsham.

Charles Clinkards
Dunelm Mill

I also miss BHS. I liked their bedlinen and lighting, as well as their T shirts (I still have one I wear regularly).

I've thought of another... pharmacies abroad, particularly in France. I can spend a very long time happily browsing all their haircare, makeup, skincare and remedies for conditions that I can't quite work out e.g. heavy legs

Conversely I take no joy from garden centres that sell padded tea trays and a large selection of loose crinkly clothing in weird patterns

I think Avoca has gone off a wee bit since it was sold by the family to a big company.

I wish they'd reduce their cake portions ( and price ).
They are massive

Countrywide stores, I loved the affordable horsy clothes and wellies mixed with pet & garden and general iron mongery. It just felt like a reassuring place.

They went out of business 2018

Oh shame they’ve sold up, family company stores are never better for being bought up by a big company

E&m now that's a blast from the past... definitely a posh wifies shop.

I absolutely hate TK Maxx! I'm pleased some love it but I can't bear it. It just feels crammed full of tat, even things from supposedly aspirational brands just don't feel worth it there.

I love White Company. I'd live there.

Oh and Neptune. Just gorgeous.

The Japan Centre (+ I found fab little Japanese stationery/random decorative bits store close buy that also damaged my wallet)
Uniqlo - because I only get to London 1-2 times a year so it has novelty value. I tend to go in all the central London stores one after another.

TK Maxx
M&S
B&M
Home Bargains
Primark

Easily pleased I am!

Yes it is a shame @SoManyNamesNow.
I agree that stores that started out as a family business and get sold so the family can cash in on their success are never the same again.

I love this shop 😍

I don’t get the Waterstones love, they are all the same with same cutesy handwritten but corporate mandated ‘staff recommended reads’ a good independent bookstore is always better. I often find some of the smaller independent bookstores have more interesting stock

I’ve a soft spot for a second hand book stores

Robinsons!! (Near Aintree) it was a treat to go there every school holiday ❤️
I remember my mum taking me there the day after we bought my first pony (slight impulse purchase, but we had her for 26 years!) to buy the essentials. I can still remember the smell in the shop 😍

That's it!