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!

Lockdown has made me re-evaluate my need to shop. I am actively only trying to buy things I need and apart from a few online purchases of things I can't get locally (anti-allergy mainly) I'm avoiding the shops. Fortunately, I am WFH for the foreseeable (oh yeah!!!) so don't have to bother with work clothes. Can't wait for a potter around the charity shops looking for a nice vintage or antique bargain though!

@TheLegendOfZelda

There's really no need for half the things that make it a miserable experience. Up to the shops themselves to create a warm and welcoming environment. I don't feel like I am a plague carrier walking round my local supermarket as they have got a grip of themselves. Tannoy announcements, signs everywhere, staff in masks hovering anxiously. Just don't bother if you think it's that risky. Shut your shop and stay at home. Normal music isn't going to increase covid risk, and I think we all know by now that there's a pandemic. Smiling staff, or at least ones who don't look petrified, might help too.

Fully agree with that. I went to town last week and found it a miserable experience, with miserable staff, empty shelves and a generally desolate feel in all the chain stores. A real shock as I've only been shopping locally in our village where the staff are happy & chatty as normal, full shelves, etc. If chains end up going out of business, they've only themselves to blame for not making any effort to improve the shopping experience.

I have been shopping and found it nice to be doing something normal again. I browsed around Waterstones & several clothes shops, no problem. I did notice that you couldn't try anything on which is a pain. I've also had a coffee in a cafe several times.

I'm more of a go shopping because you need something rather than as a day out so maybe that's why I found it ok.

I didnt have to queue or follow any one way systems in shops although Boots had a different entrance and exit. There was hand sanitizer in each shop. Didn't anyone go to the shops during lockdown? There was much more queuing then.

I live in central Scotland, I shop in a small city it’s lovely normally lots of history and character. Shops are fine stocked perfectly well town was busy ish everyone bar one person I saw without a mask.

I don’t really need anything, as I’m not going anywhere and nowt planned so pointless shopping/spending much at all if I don’t need to. Got kids clothes for school online awaiting delivery. So wandering with masks on, made me really hot and uncomfortable and it wasn’t enjoyable tbh went for dinner though and that was fine, nice even. I wear a mask all day at work and it’s bloody roasting in ppe for some patients so I come home drained I don’t really feel like sticking another mask on just to wander round shops.
Everyone will feel differently though, I want to support the town and shops but don’t feel it’s enjoyable just now and I want to be able to touch stuff etc.

We had a wee day out at the shops last week. Mostly looking for clothes for DS but it was nice to have a look. It's an outdoor shopping area which was nice. Shops weren't too busy as we went on a weekday afternoon. I'm central Scotland so things haven't been open as long.

I went into my local city last week. Wilko and Superdrug had barely any stock. Loads of other shops had unusual opening times and Fat Face had a weird one in one out rule.

I gave up and went home and shopped online.

I assumed the missing stock was perhaps in the Far East somewhere and on pause / cancelled? The wilko stuff was mainly all season homeware.

Independent stores and all the cafes seem to be doing well though

I love browsing round the shops, I’ve been a few times since shops opened but not going anymore as I hate masks.

I find wearing the black masks easier for shopping. Can breathe through them fine plus washable. Win win.

I went in to our city centre yesterday on my day off. Debenhams had a normal amount of stock, no queues, no one way system, staff were happy and helpful and their toilets were open, seemed fairly busy too. So all in all it was almost a normal experience other than a sea of masks or visors.

M&S was a similar experience but the toilets were still shut. So yes I'll continue to go shopping because some stores are trying their damnedest to make it as near normal a shopping experience as possible.

I still go for a wander. I don't really buy anything but its something different to do other than the usual walks which I am very bored of.

@PollyPelargonium52
What are the black masks that you use please
Thanks

I went wandering around the garden centre yesterday. It was glorious to be there and I bought lots of extra plants I didn’t need as everything seemed quite overgrown and a bit sad.

It was raining very hard and we were the only people in there the whole time - great for our safety but no so great for the owner.

No I don't think I could be bothered. I tend to buy clothes from shops so that I can try them on so if I can't do that I won't bother. I also can't be bothered with the faff of returns if I order online and clothes don't fit so I guess I'll be saving a lot of money! When I went food shopping today I hated wearing a mask, it was too warm and a bit sweaty so I shall probably just avoid shops if I can.

Yes. My children needed some things and it was absolutely fine. Not too quiet or too crowded, felt quite normal apart from queuing a bit.

I am very much voting with my wallet on this. The more "miserable" or "full of roolz" or "don't touch our stuff" shops are, the less likely I am to spend my money there. With the mandated muzzles in particular, my visiting actual shops is now absolutely minimal. I don't want these measures becoming a permanent normal. Only when these measures are lifted will I return to actual shopping.

The shops that make an effort to improve the "experience" will survive and prosper. The ones that put up obstacles, have stroppy staff, have little stock, will collapse and disappear, and rightly so. It is entirely down to the shops as to how they handle the crisis and restrictions/precautions. Some are doing it incredibly well and deserve to survive. Others, well, goodbye and good riddance!

I'm going shopping as little as possible now. Doing it with a face mask is just a nightmare. When its warm especially I can't breathe (or I'm trying to breathe shallowly!) and my glasses keep steaming up no matter how I fix it. I end up endlessly fiddling with it trying to breathe while still being able to see and honestly it's not worth it!

Probably not, but more for my own safety rather than because of the new rules. I've been wearing a mask in shops for months anyway so used to it now.

www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/ministers-considering-gloves-coronavirus-a4507831.html

Gloves are dirty if not used properly. Hand washing is better. Masks have replaced hand washing though so the whole thing is stupid!

Going to be really interesting what happens if we're still in this situation by Christmas. The retail sector depends on packed stores and lots of customers at Christmas to tide them over for quieter times of the year. Social distancing will wreck that. Who is going to want to queue outside in December when it will be cold and raining?

Supermarkets will still be OK as people will want to buy food and drink but other High Street stores (eg clothing) will really suffer. Plus other attractions that bring families into town centres (pantos, Xmas markets) are unlikely to be available.

I really feel sorry for the retail sector (my partner works in a clothing store) but I fear this is going to finish them off.

Ive already warned family that we wont be doing Christmas presents this year. For adults or kids. And i told them this before it was known for sure that they were bringing masks in. The run up to Christmas can be stressful and this whole year so far has felt like that X a million. I dont want the stress. Ive had enough. Then came the face masks. Which has rubber stamped it.

Kids will get money in a card. One of them being a new baby due in December.

Fri 24-Jul-20 20:07:12
I did a very small Tesco shop today............in a face mask. Hot uncomfortable , affected my breathing. Had to leave the trolley and go outside for a couple of mins so i could take it off.

However ive never done a supermarket shop so quickly. I power walked around the store at one point i broke into a run.............accidentally knocking over a Mr Kipling cake stand. (it wasnt there on Wednesday) i just didnt see it. I just wanted to get done and get out. So i only got the basics, no browsing to see if i fancied any little extra treats like muffins or chocolate so it might be better for my waistline. So obvs i will also save money. I usually do a supermarket shop twice a week but am going to cut it down to one. Its just too unbearable Anything that gets forgotten we can go without, Thank fuck we have always shopped by putting an odd extra couple of items in the trolley each week. And this was pre Covid

As i masked up ready to go into store i was standing opposite the three pubs ajacent to the store and I just felt so angry to see one rule for one and one rule for the other right in front of me.

The black masks are from Asda two for £2.50. I am going to get some more for ds next week.

Our town is putting on three markets a week. They are outside so people relax, take time to browse, One is a craft market and another is food and drink. The quality is very high and they seem to be doing a roaring trade because people are so relieved to be out. it’s much more friendly and the whole place comes back to life.

I went into tile & flooring shops too and they were fine, friendly, no restrictions.

I’m going to have to brave H&M though. All ds’ jeans are up round his ankles