Possibly a daft question about supermarket shopping.

[Newforestclub]

We usually shop in Lidl, or occasionally Aldi.
So I don't know what is happening in the larger supermarkets.
In those that sell clothes, homewares etc (Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's) are those sections still open, or are you only able to buy food?
Thanks

Are there times when there are no queues?

There certainly are. Our M&S foodhall was like the grave tonight and, judging by the emptiness of the carpark, so was Sainsbury’s.

Maybe different in Scotland but Asda click n collect closed and Tesco clothes/homewares like soft furnishings closed.

Individual store layout may contribute to what stores can do too.

From the website it looks like Lidl are doing away with the central aisle of random stuff to focus on essentials which is good. I expect Aldi will still keep that side of things going through there website. As for the bigger supermarkets, I expect it'll depend on the size of the store and what area you're in, so you might be best ordering online.

The clothing and homeward and Argos sections were open in my local huge Sainsburys. I was worried the same as you as I needed a mouse as I’m now WFH on my laptop and the tracking pad is driving me crazy. I think as long as you’re not faffing about when there’s a queue outside, I’d say crack on.

Yes I’m definitely just going in and out of supermarkets as fast as I possibly can now. I’m certainly not hanging around.

I was in M&S earlier and annoyingly they placed some reduced items below the salads/fresh veg. I genuinely just wanted veg, then a woman stood right next to me intensely perusing the reduced stuff. Absolutely no regard for my personal space at all, it’s like she was worried I would take all the good bits! Obviously I moved well out of the way and distanced myself, but she was absolutely oblivious to social distancing.

In the 'big' Tesco near me I bought a t-shirt for my son on Thursday and a birthday cake as well. I felt actually a bit awkward about it, as if I shouldn't be buying 'non essentials' but it was his birthday on Friday (he's a pre-schooler so doesn't really understand) and it was going to be pretty crap anyway without adding no presents or cake into the bargain.

Nobody batted an eyelid though and there were other people buying clothes.

I went to tesco no queues at about 7 o'clock I was able to get stationary for schoolwork and presents and birthday cards for ds off my parents. I was surprised it was open and asked staff but they said all areas were accessible.

I obviously did my main shopping aswell.

Popped to Sainsburys today and the whole shop; clothes, homewares etc were all open.

I know someone who works at a large supermarket and last week they were reducing a load of non-food (and non-essential) items, they actually put some of them in the empty loo roll shelves.

I haven't left the house since last week but then Asda was definitely still selling non-food. I picked up an Easter egg for my DD too.... she's too young to understand it all so I thought i should at least have some chocolate for her.

Mistermagpie, please don’t feel awkward. If nobody had bought that birthday cake it would have gone to waste. We need to take all the joy we can where we find it, it’s grim enough without depriving ourselves needlessly.

I went shopping in Sainsbury's on Friday afternoon. There was no queue and the shop was less busy then usual. The clothes and home sections were still open.

The rules are that you can go out in order to go shopping - not shopping only for essentials.

Only shop I've been in with closed sections was B&M (toy aisle cordoned off). I picked up new slippers from Tesco yesterday because mine are falling apart. I guess that's not strictly essential but it's not like I made a trip just for that.

I do feel though that pawing through things, examining everything, or trying things on is not appropriate in the current situation. Choose with your eyes not with your hands. (Unless you need to check food ingredients for allergies or something.)

And try and be quick about it - once you finish and leave that's another person queuing who gets to come in.

You can shop at George online if you need clothes or homeware stuff. I placed an order yesterday, got shipped this morning and due to arrive to me on Wednesday.

I think you should go out shopping for essentials only but if you happen to want non-essentials at the same time, then no problem provided you aren't planning to spend hours trying things on or whatever.

What's not ok is to go out specifically for a packet of crisps/choclate bar/birthday cake/dvd etc.

I wouldn’t begrudge someone going out to buy a birthday cake TBH

I had a breast reduction in January I have 2 sports bras to wear. I'm going to need a new bra or two soon. It would be good if I can get one in the supermarket while I'm grabbing food.

Asda had the clothes, toys, home wares, Easter aisles open. I went at 3pm and didn’t queue to get in.

These sections have been open in the tesco near me. I've been at 7am and there was no queue. I also passed this evening at 6.30pm and there was no queue. (I'd been to a deserted M&S food hall for veg and booze).

Our Tesco had a sign to the effect of - don't browse through this area but if you know what you need go you can go and get it. Seems sensible to me.

I`ve been looking with my eyes, touching only to pick up an actual item too.