Is anyone “going for a wander around the shops” anymore

[Makinganewthinghappen]

I used to enjoy going for a wander around the shops, charity shops, books shops etc and just picking up bits and pieces.

Since Covid though it’s just not enjoyable doing that - Don’t get me wrong I’m not complaining about the measures taken I know they are needed but it has made a relaxing rummage pretty impossible. Wearing a mask, the one way systems etc and notices not to touch anything your not going to buy makes are a little off putting!

I really miss my little trips to our local shops and I have been trying since they reopened to get back into the swing of it one or two have on mine delivery which I have used but most don’t, a few have already shut down.

Is anyone else finding shops difficult to use at the moment? I feel bad for not supporting the shops - I literally live on the Main Street I look out of the window and see how empty they are!

I’ve bought the dc school shoes online by sticking to the same brands/models they had previously, in a bigger size (seems to have worked fine). One thing I cannot face is taking them shoe shopping with masks and distancing. It’s a nightmare at the best of times!

I’m in Scotland and tried shopping in local town last weekend . It was an unpleasant experience having to queue to go into shops whilst wearing a face covering one way systems still in place . I can’t see me going back unless it’s to supermarket .

No. I have taken to supporting small online enterprises as far as possible.
It's sad but businesses have always had to evolve to survive.
It's been a dangerously fast change of course, so a lot of casualties on the way.

I've been shopping as normal. Just seems to be getting busier now.

I have a bit.I used to shop weekly as I loved it when did needed bits.Now grown up it was a once a month treat.Last time I went.to our local town on a Saturday it was dead!.Most shops still shut or gone for good so depressing and you can't try.anything on.
Locally is ok we have some clothes shops like white stuff and fat face.I was worried about.mask wearing but it is ok.I will browse then check out styles and colours then ordered what I wanted online for more convenience and sizes.
Masks Wil kill the pleasure of me time and shopping.😥

I went into the (v.large) city centre the other day. I needed some stuff from Boots that was out of stock online. DC2 needed leggings and is really funny about how things feel, so needs to be present to check that the fabric "feels right" .

We were there quite early - maybe 10.30 - and I was pleasantly surprised at how ok everything was. There were no queues, and so we did browse a couple of extra shops. Not being able to try things on is a PITA, but it's still helpful for me to be able to feel the fabrics and hold things up to get an idea of the fit, and no-one told us off for doing so.

@nitgel

I've been shopping as normal. Just seems to be getting busier now.

I reckon people are having their last hurrah before the masks. I have certainly stocked up to avoid the shops.

Wonder what next week will be like?

I was delighted when charity shops reopened and was expecting lots of stock after people having lockdown clearouts but I didn't find them very well-stocked at all and the necessary social-distancing spoiled the browsing experience.

Yes. I hate online shopping and love having a wander.

It’s not been bad at all. I have no issues wearing a mask myself, seems sensible.

Clothes shopping I am struggling a bit with as I really need to try things on. However I’ve been shopping for books, toys, homewear and that’s been absolutely fine. You factor in a bit more time for queuing, but really it’s not too different, I don’t get all the fuss.

I have no plans to go to the shops for a long time to come. Not because I'm scared of the virus - I am currently meeting friends and family for walks, outings and bbqs and visiting places that are open, but I just think it looks like a completely horrible, boring experience so I have no intention of going into any shops in the near future.

My OH does our weekly food shopping. I have been to the pharmacy a couple of times and last week went to our local farm shop for the first time which was a very pleasant experience as it's spacious and quiet, but other than that I will be staying away from the high street for as long as possible

I'm unlikely to do any browsing unless things change. I went last weekend to collect something but I found the 1 way systems and queues took away the impulse of going in anywhere else. I'll go if I need something specific and I'm confident I will be able get it, but otherwise I'll continue to shop online more. I feel bad for not supporting the high street but some shops haven't done much to welcome shoppers back with closed till points, reduced stock and opening hours. I completely understand some of that is necessary but the shops just don't feel inviting any more.

I think it depends what you're shopping for. I'm unlikely to be doing any clothes-related browsing until changing rooms re-open - I live an hour away from most clothes shops, and the effort involved of taking things back that don't fit is far too much. However, I have been browsing round the selection of independent shops (both food and non-essential) in my small town for the last few weeks and its generally been fine. I don't think it will feel as relaxed and friendly once face coverings become compulsory, but I will try and persevere as I'd like to see them survive.

I went at the weekend and didn't find it too bad. Admittedly I went to a couple of independent shops on Saturday but I was able to try on if I wanted. It was lovely. I popped into our local town on Sunday. M&S and Boots were fine, hand sanitizer at the doors and no trying on in M&S. I went in Mint Velvet and they had a maximum of 5 people in, no changing room but I was able to touch the clothes and try on a jacket without any fuss. Nowhere was anyone staring or making you feel uncomfortable.

No. I only shop in shops when it's absolutely necessary. I usually have a good idea what I'm going for, I get it, pay, and leave. Browsing is no longer an enjoyable leisure activity.

I dont enjoy going shopping because of all the rules but needs must of course. I went to Tescos this morning and had planned to have a quick look round the Wallis/Dorothy Perkins clothing section but it was all boarded off until ten am. Weird.

absolutely not. why on earth would anyone do that now?

Quite a lot of people wandering round the shops in this town today.....good to see the market back and people buying rizlas from the rasta guy...and sitting outside the cafe 's drinking coffee. ...some charity shops open...it's almost feeling normal again. ..

I did last week and enjoyed it until a lady out shopping like me told me off in Tesco for not wearing a mask....she also held her phone up as if taking photo not sure if she did or not. Anyway. The mask issue has finished it. No more shops only if I really need or have to.

why on earth would anyone do that now?

For lots of reasons. Surely you don’t need them explained?

I've been thinking about whether there really are any shops that I would really want to go to. The only one I can imaging would be a bra fitting. I've had a fitting at Rigby and Peller every few years since I first found them in my early twenties after a bad experience in M&S with assistant holding up a bra and shouting across to a colleague 'do we do these in extra large' to my furious blushing

I would expect that some stores will develop their 'experience' offerings as well as being available online. There have been some trials of configuring an online model to have your measurements so that you can see what clothes look like on.

Now seems like a good time to invest in all sorts of alternatives to wandering around shops.

Use a phone to scan a foot into an app to try on shoes. Loads of opportunities.

I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with.

Around here it seems like you're allowed to touch the clothes & hold them up to self, but not to try them on. Can return if they don't fit at home.

Like most people I have too much stuff, too many clothes already, so muzzles & 2metres are reinforced incentive not to browse. I have a few favourites turning into rags but they are seasonal... I reckon I will get to end of this summer still wearing them without replacing them.

I'd just started to, but won't be continuing. Partially because of masks, and partially because I found it so stressful and unenjoyable. If I can't try anything on all it means is that I'm having to make repeat trips to exchange sizes. If I buy online I can exchange without having to go back to the store. I find one way systems extremely stressful and those in the shops wearing masks seemed to think themselves immune so weren't distancing which has put me off going back once they're mandatory for fear of that attitude being more widespread.

I was beginning to but not sure what I'll do from Friday. I do want to support local retailers but masks put me off, so it depends which wins out!

I'm actually very cautious about the virus but I think that now we have the 1m+ rule in and mandatory face masks they should relax a little more in shops. Perhaps that's the plan? Once mandatory face masks are in place and people are abiding by it the other rules in shops won't be required any more (so no one way system, queuing, etc).

I think it is... We’ll get used to masks in a few weeks like everywhere else, and then we’ll compensate by relaxing some of the social distancing, and things will seem more normal.

Nope. I'm not going for a wander round the shops until I can go without a mask. It's a horrible experience.