Page 3 | Have you been going into non food shops?

Putmynewshoeson · 2020-09-20T21:38:12+00:00

Clothes etc and what not? If so how have you found it? I've ventured out a few times and John Lewis and Primark have been the best with their precautions. It's starting to feel really risky and not worth it now though, less people wearing masks etc. I think all the lockdown rumours have got to me, I was supposed to be popping into town tomorrow to get a few bits and now it feels like a silly thing to do! Are you still going into non essential shops at the moment?

Whathappenedtothelego · 21/09/2020 09:43

Yes, loads, but mainly just the shops in the town where I live, which are all quite small.

I haven't been into my nearest city, into a department store or retail park since March (and don't really miss it tbh).

movingonup20 · 21/09/2020 09:45

Been in a couple of places but not clothing, I think every shop I've been in was allowed to open throughout eg went to Halfords to buy oil, went to bike repair shop and went to Homebase

movingonup20 · 21/09/2020 09:47

Far too many people in visors that don't cover their mouths, typically over 70 aka most vulnerable! Young adults not wearing masks on the buses too

Waspnest · 21/09/2020 09:47

I took DD into Primark to get clothes for her birthday and we were in and out within about 20 mins. The queues at the tills were SD but the rest of the shop was a free for all although most people were wearing masks. It didn't seem particularly busy for a Saturday so maybe people were making the most of the last of the sunny weather and going elsewhere.

I didn't feel anxious but I'm not in a hurry to repeat the experience because I find wearing a mask unpleasant.

Springersrock · 21/09/2020 09:57

I’ve not been for a wander round the shops, but I have been in to town for specific stuff

My daughter has just started uni so we’ve been shopping for all her bits and pieces and some clothes - New Look (which didn’t actually have anything much for sale), H&M, Top Shop. Home Bargains and The Range for bedding, towels, pretty twiddly bits for her room. Curry’s, etc.

Pet Shop for dog and cat, the agricultural store and tack shop for horse stuff - although I went in those all through lockdown too.

Everyone wearing masks inside, wasn’t busy, no queuing

PennyDreadfuI · 21/09/2020 10:11

I've been avoiding shops as much as I can because I'm mask exempt and the comments/looks/tuts/outright abuse I get almost every time I go into one has been awful. Ditto buses, which has been especially hard as I have mobility issues and walking any distance (particularly with heavy grocery shopping) is very difficult.

WanderingMilly · 21/09/2020 10:12

Yes, of course I go to non-food shops. Clothes shops, garden centres, furniture shops, B&Q and houseware shops, factory outlets and retail parks, Boots....I like browsing, I don't always buy anything. Even been to the local market, why ever not?

I wear a mask and gloves every time, and pretty well everyone is in a mask. I keep my distance, most people do. I can't see the issue myself, I'm more likely to catch something at work than shopping and the shops need our support....as well as the fact that I love browsing anyway.

With proper protection, distancing and sanitiser I really can't understand why people aren't going shopping unless especially vulnerable.

redlockscelt · 21/09/2020 10:14

@WanderingMilly

Yes, of course I go to non-food shops. Clothes shops, garden centres, furniture shops, B&Q and houseware shops, factory outlets and retail parks, Boots....I like browsing, I don't always buy anything. Even been to the local market, why ever not?

I wear a mask and gloves every time, and pretty well everyone is in a mask. I keep my distance, most people do. I can't see the issue myself, I'm more likely to catch something at work than shopping and the shops need our support....as well as the fact that I love browsing anyway.

With proper protection, distancing and sanitiser I really can't understand why people aren't going shopping unless especially vulnerable.

Because we have different interests and don't like browsing ? I'd rather go to the dentist!

OpenlyGayExOlympicFencer · 21/09/2020 10:18

I've only gone into shops when I had to. The non-food ones were pretty quiet so I was able to get in and out as quickly as possible. That suited me, as I don't like wearing a mask so want to minimise time spent doing it. There wasn't full SD though.

middleager · 21/09/2020 10:23

Went to a retail park in Stetchford, Birmingham, last week. I did count. 5 in 20 wearing masks. 15 exemptions? I don't think so.

I went to Perry Barr One Stop in Birmingham and a similar dynamic

It puts me off.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 21/09/2020 10:26

With proper protection, distancing and sanitiser I really can't understand why people aren't going shopping unless especially vulnerable

Because many don’t wear masks or bother distancing and sanitiser only helps with surface transmission and we know it’s aerosol transmission that spreads it far more.

It’s quicker, easier, more convenient and safer to do at home online. I’d have to drive to get into town and pay parking too.

Ohchristmastreeohchristmastree · 21/09/2020 10:30

Just recently -

Boots
Superdrug
Pet shop
Charity shops
Garden Centre

That’s about it.

emmathedilemma · 21/09/2020 10:44

I've barely been in any shops.....Boots for prescriptions a couple of times, the post office to send birthday presents (bought online or already had them), went in a local card / gift shop once, B&M a couple of times (knew I was going in for so didn't hang around browsing!), I haven't been in any clothes shops or department store type places but don't tend to go shopping for "fun" at the best of times and I'm WFH so haven't needed to buy clothes.

emmathedilemma · 21/09/2020 10:46

The places I've been in pretty much everyone including children (except the really little ones) have been wearing masks. The supermarket at weekend was the only place I've felt uncomfortable and that there were too many people in which was mainly because people seem to insist on it being an entire family trip out and then they all stand around faffing about what to have for dinner.

Funkypolar · 21/09/2020 10:48

Shopping is far too annoying these days. Queuing up in the rain, being shouted at one, one way systems, wearing a face mask. No thanks. Online shopping only.

PennyDreadfuI · 21/09/2020 12:13

@middleager

Went to a retail park in Stetchford, Birmingham, last week. I did count. 5 in 20 wearing masks. 15 exemptions? I don't think so.

I went to Perry Barr One Stop in Birmingham and a similar dynamic

It puts me off.

Possibly. But even if not all 15 are exempt, many will be.

middleager · 21/09/2020 12:16

A ratio of 3/4 exempt cannot be in line with national figures though.i'm not buying it. Maybe 1/4 exempt and 3/4 not exempt...

BlusteryShowers · 21/09/2020 12:21

I've been once to home bargains by myself, and once to a toy shop with my three year old who hadn't been in a shop since February. I don't think I've seen more than 5 people not wearing masks including supermarkets.

One of the people I did see was just as the rule came in and she was clearly embarrassed and covering her face with her jacket.

Whathappenedtothelego · 21/09/2020 12:23

It's not fear of infection for everyone. If you make shopping an ordeal, of course people are going to be put off!

I struggle in big shops with a mask on, because I have to take my glasses off (or else keep touching them to wipe and readjust every 5 minutes).

So big and unfamiliar shops just aren't worth it - I can't see where I need to go or what I want to buy, and the whole experience just gets me down, and gives me a headache.

Small shops are much easier to manage, and I've had great customer service from my little local shops (including letting me try on clothes)
I'm shopping in a (more expensive) small food shop now too because it's so much easier to navigate and find what I need.

PennyDreadfuI · 21/09/2020 14:58

@middleager

A ratio of 3/4 exempt cannot be in line with national figures though.i'm not buying it. Maybe 1/4 exempt and 3/4 not exempt...

Again, you have no idea. Perhaps in that group of people three quarters were exempt, but the next time you go nobody will be.

I've been in shops where I'm the only person not wearing a mask (this happens more often than not, actually). I've also been in shops where I'm one of several. Last week nobody on the bus was wearing one (there were about 5 or 6 of us) but usually, again, I'm the only one.

Best not to judge and just assume that if someone isn't wearing a mask, they'll have good reason.

RepeatSwan · 21/09/2020 15:01

Yes, but I have been quite fussy. I prefer smaller shops normally anyway and seems to hold true during covid times.

middleager · 21/09/2020 15:03

I'd agree with you Penny if I hadn't been to both shopping centres on more than one occasion and seen the same ratios play out.