What the point of shops opening when you can't "shop" - can't browse, can't try on...

[ACautionaryTale]

So you have to walk in, select what you want, Pay and leave.

You shouldn't touch anything you don't end up buying

For clothes shops especially, you can't feel the fabric to see what its like, you can't try it on in the shop.....

Given that a lot of shops have shite returns policies it would make buying anything almost impossible.


Even ones that do have returns policies have often changed them during Covid.

you might as well buy on line.

[Somanysocks]

Maybe, you should wear gloves to protect yourselves and others.

What, those magic antiviral gloves that I can't find anywhere that everyone seems to be wearing.

[Dollywilde]

I'm due my first baby and newborn is out of stock everywhere I look - finding unisex bodysuits is really hard - H&M, M&S, the supermarkets, Next etc. I really need the shops to open so I have clothes to put this baby in when it turns up! Ditto what others have said above re maternity bras - I really don't have a bra that fits now but find lack of support too painful, so I'm squeezing into old ones which can't be great for incoming milk production. Probably time to crack and order online but I so wanted to be able to try some on to save having to shell out ££££ and then waiting for refunds when I return 90% of them.

[pigsDOfly]

What, those magic antiviral gloves that I can't find anywhere that everyone seems to be wearing.

Oooh yeah, my plumber was wearing a pair of those when he had to come to my house in an emergency situation soon after lockdown started.

Arrived wearing them, touched just about everything in sight, doors and so on that he'd no need to go near, rubbed his eyes several times, did the job he'd come to do and left still wearing them.

I'll ask him were he bought them Somanysocks if you'd like me to

[Applepipsx]

Exactly and are children allowed to go in them and enjoy a morning in town? Or is it not meant to be a day out now rather a if you must?

[Wingingitsince2018]

Not being able to pick things up to have a look at them in the supermarket has become an utter nightmare for me in the last 2 weeks.

I have just been diagnosed with coeliac disease and I have no idea what I can and can't eat yet (aside from the obvious!). My choices are to pick up and look at ingredients and then put back, or constantly be on my phone googling everything before I pick a product up, or don't.

Obviously this is a very specific example but there are loads of reasons people need to touch all kinds of products before making a decision and you can't force people to buy something they can't have, surely?

[Tootletum]

Yeah it'll be a bit too painful. Most of shopping is sitting in a cafe or browsing a bookshop anyway, and since I can't do that I will carry on buying online.

[AmaryllisNightAndDay]

There was someone from Waterstones on Radio 4 today - he said most branches are not full normally (except in the run-up to Christmas) and they are going to have multiple copies of books and trolleys so you can pick up a book, browse and if you don't want it then put it on the trolley. It will go back on the shelf a few days later after any covid virus has died.

I don't know how libraries will manage though, they usually have single copies. Maybe they will go online/ebook only (if they aren't already?)

[OldQueen1969]

I have a medium sized shop dealing in alternative lifestyle clothing and accessories, some new, some pre-loved, and I have already decided that I won't be re-opening for the foreseeable future because the palaver associated with selling the odd 99p incense or a 5.00 top isn't economically viable.

In addition the shop has become a dumping ground for my late mothers possessions as although her flat is paid up till 16th June the EA is bugging us to clear out asap.

Before lockdown my footfall was abysmal and caring for my Mum diverted me from the planned move online.

Right now as a retailer I have very little hope for the future.

I know that its just a series of unfortunate events, but I feel as if I'm in the perfect storm of futility right now in terms of trying to support myself.

[Haffiana]

Maybe, you should wear gloves to protect yourselves and others.

I wish people would use their bloody brains about things like this. Gloves offer no more protection than washing your hands. Just actually think about it.

Google if you are too dim.

[woodlandwalker]

As well as the queuing and lack of toilets, the other issue with going to the big stores/shopping centres is for those of us without a car. I don't have a car and we are being advised not to use public transport so can only go to my local high street which is quite vibrant but lacking clothes and book shops.

[MadameMarie]

It's the same with pubs when they open. It'll be that much of a crap experience having to follow all the rules that you may as well do it from the comfort of your own home (i.e. shop/drink alcohol.

[Somanysocks]

@pigsDOfly please do, it would give me so much more confidence when I go out. 🤣

[cardibach]

I’ve been reading this and I’m puzzled by the language.
People are ‘swarming’ supermarkets. ‘Pawing’ clothes. ‘Rummaging’ through them.
Very unpleasant language.
People are visiting shops and looking through things. Take the language of disgust out of it.

[TheWorldKickedBack]

Catalogue style shopping will become popular again, I.e Freeman's and Amazon wardrobe. Choose a few items, try them on at home then only pay for what you keep.

[lljkk]

Not much different to online shopping really.

Which is why I don't buy clothes online. Or groceries, really.
I'll just wear pants with big holes in them . Makes sense to me.

I have a big bag of nice quality clothes to go to a charity shop (DD had a clear out). Shall I just bin them? Seems like it. Maybe someone on Facebook will take a huge bin bag of stuff for free.

[covetingthepreciousthings]

I don't know how libraries will manage though, they usually have single copies. Maybe they will go online/ebook only (if they aren't already?)

I think some are looking into 'click and collect my type services to cut out the browsing for when they reopen.

[Needmoresleep]

I am surprised by the enthusiasm for online shopping.

There is not way I would order a selection of clothes and then join the mega queue at the Post Office to return most of them. And where we live Post Office queues are extreme.

We have new neighbours. A young couple who do all their shopping online. As in five deliveries a day. Which before lockdown and wfm, meant that delivery drivers knocked on our door. Then a loud knocking in the evenings (they don't seem to use door bells) as they demanded their stuff. No thank you. Just their entitlement to online shopping. We obviously also had to put up with the increased volume of traffic in our street and in London generally.

They really don't get it. They are a short bus ride to Oxford Street and several different shopping areas, yet I am sure they think it is so much more convenient to shop online. It is when you use your neighbours as a storage depot.

We buy a lot less, and are happy to walk to a local market for our weekly shop. Ditto with clothes shopping. I don't need or want too many clothes so am happy either to make an outing for something special or to browse in TKMaxx, or smaller chains or independent shops if I am passing. Not least the carbon footprint and waste is lower. And I get to discover things that fit and suit me. It is not always obvious on a picture or a hanger.

[Leflic]

Amazon Wardrobe is a fantastic idea whatever you feel about their lack of moral ground.
You chose up to six items with no payment , try them at home and send back for free the not suitable items within 7 days. You then get billed for the ones not returned.
Wish other places did similar. Even if the faff of defaulters was an issue it’s offset by the lack of shop lifting .No car parking, queues or other annoying people.

[Ginfordinner]

There is no way I would order a selection of clothes and then join the mega queue at the Post Office to return most of them. And where we live Post Office queues are extreme.

You have just described the situation we have where I live. With the closure of so many post offices I really try to avoid going to one at all because the queues are ridiculous.

I think more people on MN hate clothes shopping than do in RL

[Leflic]

I know what you mean about Post Office queues. The one in town has a permanent queue as do the small ones situated in Tesco Express and an independent corner store.
But a short drive and there’s at least two tiny village post offices completely empty. They need the trade too.

[Ginfordinner]

Our post offices have reduced their hours as well, making it even more difficult to use them.

[Dinosauratemydaffodils]

I am surprised by the enthusiasm for online shopping.

I'd much rather do it in person but I hate queuing, I haven't found a mask my ptsd can tolerate and shopping has always been more than just shopping if that makes sense. You go with friends, have lunch, maybe go around a gallery or watch a movie. While none of those things are possible, I'll be buying online from companies whose sizing works for me.

[Saints22]

This is almost the only decision the government has made about releasing the restrictions that I agree with. Some element of getting out of the house for a good reason, and bringing some people back into work and not furlough. Supermarkets have shown that social distancing can be achieved to an extent.