Are you using actual shops more this year?

[Bayroot1]

I find I am. I think it's mainly because of delivery cock ups and being able to see things before buying. I can see if something will fit someone, what the quality is like etc.

I've noticed the local shops seem to be busy on all days. I work in the community so can be out and about any given day.

Are you using shops more rather than the big A? I use them too.

No, since before Covid I have mainly bought food, gifts, household items etc on-line. Once a week or so I will do a small shop at our local Co-Op for bread, fresh vegetables etc, and sometimes do a bit of shopping in Costco, but not been there for ages.

I actually went in person to M&S today to pick up some wine, and sweets to finish off a couple of friends Christmas gifts, and it was really busy.

I do use Amazon a lot in general, it’s so convenient, and quick delivery, we have a Prime account. I know a lot of people don’t like Amazon, but there are a lot of small to medium businesses who sell there products on there. I use to buy my craft supplies at a very local Garden Centre, but the land has now been used for houses. A lot of craft shops sell on Amazon, and if I bought from their individual on-line stores the postage can be prohibitive.

Yes. We have a lovely neighbourhood a few miles away with lots of independent shops, a children’s bookshop, a toy shop, a sweet shop, and a number of gift shops. Got a lot done there in one day and going to brave the town centre tomorrow.

I’m trying to avoid giving Jeff Bezos any money this Christmas, so far bought most stuff either in person at local independent shops, online from small businesses and a couple of toys from John lewis that were priced matched to Amazon. Probably 30/70 in person to online

No but I always buy early so I have plenty of time to return if need be. I’d love to shop local and I have popped out for a few bits but we are very limited in shops. There are a few retail parks within driving distance but I have health issues which have also put a stop to me driving at the moment so that and constant online deals have made my go to shopping mostly online at the moment.

It was on the way back from somewhere I had to go to anyways. So no travel costs. Free parking. Sorry to ruin your theory

In Nov I ususally do a trip to a massive local garden centre that gets very festive quite early on. Bit late going this year and it was busier and lower on stocks of favourite deli items. Although I did get superb infinity scarf and a couple of other nice non edible gifts. I get Christmassy chocs at Lidl/Aldi. I did that several weeks ago.

Our city centre is low on most of the big shops. There's an out of town Next and
H and M with a home section and TK Maxx. I do usually have a look there too.

What we do have is a street in the city full of independent shops and several makers markets during Nov. The latter are often stupidly overpriced stuff but I've had the occasional bargain.

M and S was good the other day. They were wheeling out clearance bargains. Bought.an outdorsy top

Nope, we do OL for everything and got most of the kids presents delivered a few weeks ago. Christmas is also the one time we use a delivery service for food so even more online shopping.

No. It's big A all the way (well aside from one gift from a chain store on the high street). Local shops are to be visited once a year and I buy out of obligation rather than anything else.

Not a theory.
Just a question. I was curious that's all 🙂

No. I'd like to, but buses are crap (and expensive!) and parking is impossible.

A mixture of both online and in-person. Buying a lot more second hand from Vinted and eBay.

I quite like TK Maxx for gifts. Ours has free parking. The one in my old hometown was like a jumble sale. Ours now is tidy.

Interesting question. This year probably 80%+ from bricks and mortar retail. But we’ve had a few long weekends / midweek breaks over the past few months so a lot of easy opportunities and choice. With the DC all being grown up we likely have more time than when they were younger. Go back a few years and easily 80% or more bought online

I haven't been a local shop at all this year (due to ankle fracture and not being able to drive/walk far) and not missed them for Christmassy things/gifts, but I would like to get out for wrapping paper, new door mat and similar type things.

That's a long time. Hope you get better soon.

For most things yes, dislike online particularly for clothes as you really can’t see what they are like/ fit

Unless I want a haircut, a massage, a vape or a supermarket, there's nothing to buy in my local shops.

I haven't even started xmas shopping yet, because I've neither the headspace or the time. It'll be a rush job online.

No all online, don’t have many issues with deliveries tbh, did in November so before they get very busy. Shopping in store is stressful, trying to find what you want, not being able to compare prices, reduced stock etc etc. I only go in store now when I just want a light hearted browse, but it’s too busy to do that in Dec!

All those who only shop online would you be quite happy if there's only warehouses in the future? No shops at all to browse around? Obviously they'll never shut the likes of York shops. But no local shops.

No I really wouldn’t, I do enjoy a bit of shopping, but I just find it so hard to shop in store these days. I have teen boys and I can NEVER get their size in store, I always have to go online. It’s a catch 22, less people are shopping in store, less incentive to stock stores broadly, I realise that.

But ultimately if I had to choose one over the other, I’d choose online easily. I do my weekly food shop online too, again I enjoy a little stroll through my big supermarket, but not a full on food shop.

Yes, noticed my local town is a lot busier this year. Use it or lose it.

oops, when I said “this year” I meant Christmas shopping season this year, not the whole year! It’s only been a month. But so frustrating!

It practically is already for some retailers.
I was looking on the Matalan website to see what Christmas fleece blankets and cushions they have.
I gave up looking after the first gazillion products were "online only".
Asda George clothes also seems to be like that now. Barely anything actually in the shop but the website full on "online only".
I find it very irritating.

Yes. I can do online shopping at 630am when I'm having breakfast. Or when I'm in bed. I don't fancy going to actual shops after work or at weekends. They just suck away the time I want to spend reading or exercising or seeing friends. Inevitably, I'd i do our local retail park, I come home and then start my online search.

Phew! I imagined you having bones of dust! 🤣