Marks and Spencer's

[Daisy03]

I don't want to get into the whole debate of whether lockdown is right or wrong!

But aren't M&S taking the piss and bending the rules by keeping stores fully open.
I understand yes the food hall, but most of these are in separate rooms or floors and could be easily split off.
I understand they're struggling but to me it's a bit of a kick in the teeth to those smaller and independent shops that are also struggling but following the rules. What's to stop some of them selling something essential so they can open, and then why bother closing any retail or claiming to be in lockdown at all?

@OhTheRoses

I bought a dress, necklace and tights in M&S yesterday. Then went to Boots and bought a new lipstick and perfume. Entirely as a matter of principle.

The public have been asked to lock down again for the NHS. If Specsavers, dentists, chiropodists, etc, are open I would like to know why my DD's ASD/ADHD unit is shut and why my local MH Trust has shut the safe havens for those in crisis, especially those for young people.

I nearly bought a new lipstick in Boots while picking up a prescription then remembered there no point because masks 😷

Where I live there garden centres are open 😳 I can’t imagine why that’s considered ‘essential’.

I was surprised to hear the number of businesses that were still open after discussing it with people. Eg car garage, warehouse manufacturing and sales teams, high street bakers etc...

From the people I’ve spoken to, their directors etc haven’t been told they need to close therefore they stay open. Perhaps it wasn’t clear.

But I think it’s fab. I was never a supporter of a full lock down. I can’t get upset about businesses trying to keep afloat.

I was sad to hear one well known high street department store has gone in to administration, so that will be a huge miss. So if they can sell a few more jumpers and socks and that keeps them open then bludy brilliant!!!

So yes, YABU

Please just stop. It is very unhealthy to be pushing this agenda.

TeddyIsaHe

If people cared as much about poverty, or racism or women’s rights as they do about what frigging shops are open, the world would be infinitely better.

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Absolutely this 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Why should they be any different to Tesco’s, Asda, Sainsbury’s etc etc

I live in France where all the non- essential bits of the supermarkets are taped off. Small shops are allowed to do click and collect and you pick your purchases up at the door. Personally I think the big winners in all this will be Amazon because if you are going online to shop they pretty much have that corner of the market sewn up. We’ve ordered some books from our local bookshop and I’m thinking of getting some Christmas gifts from a local gift shop, but the truth is that the joy of shopping locally is being able to browse in the shop, browsing online is an entirely different experience - you’re not going to necessarily limit yourself to the shops in your street (especially if you are shopping for stuff that needs to be posted and this can be done free of charge with companies like Amazon). Personally I would rather people were shopping in M&S (or in my case Monoprix) than on Amazon. It’s Amazon that is killing the high street not M&S (which conversely actually draws shoppers into town centres where they then spend money in other shops and have lunch or coffee etc etc).

I don't blame any shop trying to sell what they can whilst staying just within the rules. Blame the government not the shops. Next we will be asking Amazon to stop delivering non-essentials in the spirit of solidarity!

Where I live there garden centres are open 😳 I can’t imagine why that’s considered ‘essential

And the great irony and sadness for the garden centres is that last time, they had to close at their busiest and most profitable time of year, which also coincided with lots of people having the time and inclination to do stuff in the garden.

Now they're open and it's cold,wet and dark and demand for gardening items will be far lower.

My point though is that it's not consistent, and it does cost more competition for independent shops.

And there is no limit to how many issues we care about. A lot of places have been forced to lockdown to the detriment of people's physical and mental health including gyms, swimming pools and children's sports.
Some large stores are fully open, is it more essential to have a look around M&S furniture department than it is to have kids outdoor football going on?

The independent shops are all doing click and collect here, aside from the bookies and salons everything is 'open' here in some capacity. All pubs and restaurants offering takeaway or delivery, are other places not the same?

We need a key cut. Our local independant cobbler we go to is shut.

Sainsburys isnt

But it also depends how many smaller shops are directly in competition with supermarkets, I'd guess not many. Aside from perhaps toys, there aren't many that offer similarly priced clothing etc.

Everything should be open IMO

@Oldraver Timpson are open

If people cared as much about poverty, or racism or women’s rights as they do about what frigging shops are open, the world would be infinitely better.

Some people have an ability to care about more things at once. I think it's absolutely ok to talk about small shops being shut while bigger ones can physically in store sell the same stuff. After all, that's where people are employed too. Practically it IS about poverty and women because hell of a lots of independents around mine are run by women and even if not, we don't want them to lose it all because they didn't have a foresight to put few cans of spam on sale when they business planned. So yes. Wondering the fuck they are supposed to do to not lose income is caring about poverty🖕

@Iwantalonglie

Alcohol is non-essential. Socks and warm jumpers (especially for growing kids) are more essential than alcohol.

Where is the call for shops to stop selling alcohol?

Where on earth did you get the idea that alcohol is non-essential? 🤣

Our Tesco has closed the none essential floor which is upstairs. Weird that they have done it when they don't have too.

Personally, I think everything should be shut. Just a weekly bag of oats per person available. (Gluten free available for those who need it). Tv should just show news and keep safe adverts. Utility clothing available if needed. School just reading and writing plus maths. Rite learning, nothing fun. Zoom for business reasons only.

Far too much joy around... We are in a Global Pandemic, and won't beat it to we start taking it seriously.

Or... Everyone could take responsibility for their own actions. Including big businesses, government ministers, Joe Bloggs down the street.

This is a repeat of the other thread moaning a shop is open.

I think I've got a new policy, any thread that is basically a variant on

"I'm going to complain about people doing things they shouldn't!"

I will hide that thread immediately. Sheesh - why aren't people SICK of all the moaning already.

I really question how closing non-essential shops does anything to limit infection. In my experience they were rarely crowded, all had sanitiser and loads of notices about keeping your distance etc, and many had traffic light and one way systems. Are they really more of a danger than a busy supermarket or a garden centre?

There was a thread the other day about Range been open but they also have Iceland in them where I live. Keep them all open I say .

is it more essential to have a look around M&S furniture department than it is to have kids outdoor football going on?

Weird. Why is this a competition to you? It’s not one or the other. Even if it was, it’s a very selfish viewpoint from you frankly, as more people benefit from an open furniture department than a game of children’s football.

The independent shops are allowed to open, for click and collect. They need to invest in their online presence. National retailers would always be their competitors. Also, you are aware that independent shops which sell essentials (eg newsagents) are open and selling non-essential items too? Where’s your vitriol for them? After all, by your “logic”, everyone must suffer equally right?

I presume shutting ‘non essential’ shops is aimed at stopping people shopping as a leisure activity. I am grateful M+S are selling more than essentials. Last lockdown they started by only having access to the food hall, but gradually added a selection of limited clothing ( underwear and comfortable basics and baby clothes etc) - the sort of things we all still needed. I have not been in since this lockdown, but I imagine the available clothing will be warm items and basics, plus the click and collect service.
I agree it’s perverse be able to buy M+S or supermarket clothes ( all be it from a pared down range) but not be allowed buy similar clothing from a clothing only store like Next or Newlook.

So dont shop there, go to smaller independent shops instead