To wonder why Morrison's and M&S are much more relaxed than Tesco and Asda?

[shoppingshenanigans]

Has anyone else noticed this? I have all four of these shops close to where I live so I tend to use all of them depending on what I fancy.
When lockdown and social distancing began I visited Tesco and just felt really stressed with the experience. I’m pretty sure it’s the same everywhere but there are arrows on the floor, meaning you can only go one way (even if you only want something from the very last aisle) and you can’t go back if you’ve forgotten something. What made it worse was that the other customers would not pass me (even though there was plenty of space to get past). I could feel eyes burning the back of my head and pressure to just choose something and carry on. I haven’t actually shopped in Asda since lockdown as I gave up after queuing for 45 minutes so I can only imagine what it’s like the inside.

I decided to shop in Morrisons today instead and I was just so shocked at how relaxed it was compared to the other shops. Granted I had to queue but it was only for around 5 minutes and there were no arrows on the floor except for when queuing to pay. You could go back if you’d forgotten something as well. Everyone still seemed to respect each other’s space and use common sense so there were no issues with social distancing, and it seemed as though everyone was much more relaxed and friendly too. My sister has said that M&S is the same as well.

I appreciate this virus is serious and measures have to be put in place to keep everyone safe but it just feels like a military operation in Tesco and Asda. What are you’re experiences so far?

It does depend on the branch rather than the business I think. The Tesco's near me has all the arrows and tape on the floor etc but no one takes much notice anymore. I just go early, try and keep my distance, get what I need and get out.

Our markses has quite a large food hall and it's been quite a pleasant shopping experience with only 40 customers allowed in at once and good stock levels. I've done most of my food shopping there.

And I don't mind that they've allowed couples in. There seem to be a lot of older women who don't drive or struggle to lift things with husbands who have probably never done a food shop in their lives.

Our smallish Morrisons is great, and I've been to a couple of much larger supermarkets later on in the day to miss the queues. Judging by the incredibly long coned-off area at the Tesco, the queues there must be a total nightmare at peak times.

The only shop I will not be going in again for the forseeable future is Lidl, which was truly grim. Not the fault of the store, but the behaviour of some of the god-awful customers. Jeez.

Are Morrisons any good in store for stock?

I was shocked how little stock they have online. No pasta, no meat, no mince, none of the yoghurts we usually get, all the kids fruit is unavailable, no fish fingers, no wraps, no juice. I glad I've got a slot with Asda next week.

I only go out once a week or less and need to go to a supermarket where I can have a companion.

Morrisons is best for me because we are allowed in together, can go back for things and no arrows apart from outside to queue and waiting for the checkout. There is always someone on the door with wipes and always someone to direct you to the next till. They also have the lane for baskets to avoid the queue although there is rarely a long wait.

There have been a couple of idiots in the early days, I waited back for someone to finish at a counter and a stupid woman nipped into the gap and then moved to let me pass, completely taking up all the distancing space. She finally realised I was waiting my turn at the place she had blocked (and not using) and moved when I stood and waited for her to go. People are not so bothered now, but mostly are being sensible.

Lidl, I have only been there in the afternoon/evening, no queue, no-one at the door, no wipes and not bothered if there were two of us, however I am always out of there as fast as possible anyway as I hate the feeling of being squeezed into the aisles and the pillars blocking the way. People in there were much more careless and happy to push past.

I went to Sainsbury's - horrendous even though they were counting people in.

Local M&S food is much better.

It does seem to be largely down to individual store managers then. Though all Tescos have the one way system, and in general I prefer it, even though it can be mildly frustrating when you forget something.

I have most of the big supermarkets within a short drive, and a huge Tesco, which I can walk to through lovely woodland. However, I tend to avoid it, as once inside, the social distancing seems to evaporate. Previously, I would do a ‘weekly’ shop in Tesco, and perhaps a top up for a few weekends treats in a small Waitrose. Now, it’s almost reversed. Waitrose is very well organised, so I get most everything I need for the week during my Saturday morning jaunt. It’s a bit more expensive, but it’s just for me mainly.
I would say, however, that even in a busy store, passing close to other shoppers is just for seconds really. It’s only —supposed to be— risky if it’s 15 minutes of close contact.

I think it depends very much on the individual store, rather than the chain - and the size.
I've been in good an bad examples of each at different locations.

I was online the other day and noticed I could get free delivery from my local co-op. I've seen them out and about on bikes, so presumably smallish shops!

Different stores local for me, but huge differences in distancing rules and distancing culture. From now on, I’m only shopping at the store with stickers on the ground, no one passing in aisles, and while masks were not mandated for customers, I only encountered 1 person in the store not wearing one.

Our Tesco hs been really quite relaxed and quiet. Asda is quite militant. Aldi has been ok too.

I have been the to Sainsburys , Asda and Morrisons in the past 12 weeks. Sainsburys have been brilliant in ensuring low numbers and social distancing, Morrisons a close second. My local Asda has been a free for all and horrendous numbers allowed in, including whole families. I have not tried my local Tesco's Lidl or Aldi so can't comment.

Waitrose is the best big store here, all trolleys are cleaned and the staff keep a good eye on everything once inside and it is very easy to distance. I also find M&S very good though it is a lot smaller

I'm amazed by the comments about people following arrows. There are arrows on the floor of most of the shops I've been in recently, but I've seen zero attempt by most customers (me included) to follow them. They just appear to be there for decoration. So there are parts of the country where people actually follow them? Well I never.

Definitely varies from store to store. The big Asda near me is awful. Big queues outside sometimes, other times no security on the door at the store is rammed. Totally random. Arrows on the floor but everyone ignores them and no staff to enforce them. People allowed in with partners and their 6 kids running around without question. Impossible to keep to the 2 meter rule because people just don’t care. Morrisons is much much better.

My local Tesco is super organised. Absolutely spot on.

Unfortuneately, trying to navigate around the staff is a fucking nightmare, from the pickers, who 'park' side by side and cheerfully reach over you to grab what they want, to the general staff, stopping for a terribly jolly chat in the middle of an aisel, totally oblivious to the growing queue waiting to get through.

I should stop bloody whingeing. These people are bloody brilliant for turning out day after day to keep us fed. I know that 😊 It is still annoying though!

*aisle obviously

Ive only found this in Tesco. Asda and Sainsburys are fine. Tesco was awful and everyone had their judgy pants hoiked up to their armpits

Opposite where we are - asda is a free for all whereas Tesco and M&S are quite strict. Not been to a Morrison’s

I’m an Aldi shopper by default but I can’t face it at the moment knowing how busy it will be in cramped aisles.confused

I went to the Kilburn branch before 9am this morning and was pleasantly surprised. It seems a nice layout and has stuff my Lidl doesn't. I got some nice cheap salmon (now trying to be healthy!). I will definitely go back there!

Our Asda tried the arrows on the floor but soon pulled them up cos it just wasn't working. I have found it ok in there, M&S has been a pleasure, Tesco very stressful for the reasons you mention.

Almost always shop at Morrisons and just a few days ago, went to Tesco for first time since this all started. Yes, Tesco have one way and Morrisons don't. But I didn't feel I came into more contact with less people or they were further away in Tesco. Felt exactly the same. I'm not sure one way systems in supermarkets is going to have much impact at all on the spread of Coronavirus! I think it's to make us feel safe rather than having a real impact. Even with one way systems, people still need common sense and people seemed to be ignoring it. In giant stores, it's impossible to police

I alway shop at Waitrose and thank fuck they haven't adopted the arrow system as I only go down the aisles I actually want stuff and I will always forget something so have to back track, but most shoppers in my local one are sensible and the store isn't crowded as the store are very strict on numbers and wipe each trolley down as it's passed to you.

Tesco -mini one near us a nightmare . Long queue then inside strict 2m one way system not allowed to overtake anyne.
Waitrose queues around the block -have not been in since lockdown
Aldi not too bad quests and free to go where you links inside.
Lidl as Aldi but no queues
So sticking with Lidl.

Our tesco has the arrows but it doesn't mean you can't go back if you've forgotten something. You go up and down the aisles in the right way but you can go crosswise at the ends if you need to go back. I think sometimes people imagine up rules that aren't actually there and make the experience worse.