Does anyone avoid shops and shop online?

[Viv0321]

Does anyone avoid shops and shop online?

I started going to the supermarkets later in the evening to avoid queues, then as I'm mask exempt, to reduce the chances of bumping into a knobhead who'll accuse me of murder for wearing a crappy visor.

Last did a proper shop in town the day before mask day. Had a nice browse through the shopping centre with the kids. Did get some impulse purchases. No desire to spend any time in mask-central. Since, I've only gone into town to an independent shop that's off the street, then a walk by the river. No browsing. Went to a non-town specialist independent yesterday.

No point at looking at clothes if I can't try them on. Not that I have any occasion coming up in the forseeable future to justify buying something.

Have occasionally gone into out of town units like Dunelm or Decathlon. Even with the visor on there is still some degree of discomfort from claustrophobia and humidity, and it's just reduced shopping to a perfunctory chore.

As well as sensory overwhelm and hyperventiating from face coverings, other people wearing them is also very unpleasant to be around as they significantly aggravate my auditory processing issues by distorting sound and removing 2/3s of facial expression and it's too hard and uncomfortable to look mask wearers directly in the face, so I'm trying to balance avoiding environments where masks are required, and not contributing too much to the death of physical retail.

DM wanted me to take her shopping and she found it so much easier to understand me with the visor than anyone masked. It's bad when I'm cobbling together what I understand and repeating for her. Her mask also interferes with her hearing aids.

We CBA to start DIY projects because of the added inconvenience of buying supplies and having to book appointments at the tip 2-3 weeks ahead.

Yes, I haven't been to a shop since February.
I did 95% of my shopping online pre-pandemic too, though, as I don't have a car and the local shops are not great. I miss popping into Tesco for a few bits but in reality it's just helping me plan meals better so it's no problem.

@Megan2018

I did this even before the pandemic. Shops are to be avoided at all costs, all the time.

We buy 95% of things online, only go in to a shop if there’s no alternative.

I have never understood shopping as a leisure activity though.

This for the past 6/7 years

The future of retail is Amazon style “fulfilment centres.”

Shopping is such an unpleasant experience. Masks, being barked at to use hand gel, following arrows and standing outside in the rain with a soggy face mask.

I only shop online now but I’ve really cut back on my spending. Saving so much money not going to coffee shops etc.

Yes but only because there’s such a lot more choice. You can buy things online that you just can’t get in the shops.
Eg
Certain camera filters and lenses
Art materials, wider range of paints/ print materials
More types of luggage.
Certain types of window locks
Cake making supplies

I was already moving in that direction for years with clothes shopping. I don't enjoy going to big crowded shopping centres. I haven't found it recreational since I was a teen. I am tall with an unusual shoe size and I was sick of being told 'we don't have it in stock but can order it in.' Easier to just order home delivery. I've also got a squeeze on my finances right now so am not buying new clothes unless essential. As for food I'm currently on a supermarket delivery pass and veg box scheme so I don't have a lot of motivation to top up elsewhere.

I'm still doing my grocery shop in the supermarket but only because during lockdown I ended up shopping for a vulnerable family member as well since they were unable to get an online slot and I'd feel guilty about taking one up when I'm able to go myself. Everything else is online but I was never much of an in person shopper anyway. I do feel bad about not supporting the local highstreet but when there's more choice online and at a better price including delivery, I could never find much motivation to go shopping for lots of things anyway

www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/11/shopping-i-can-t-really-remember-what-that-is/

“Shopping? I can't really remember what that is. For most of us, it has been turned into choosing things to use. Sometimes I find this fun, and sometimes I just want the algorithm to do it for me. It knows my taste better than I do by now.“

Yes. I do all except grocery shopping online. I just find I drive in, pay to park, walk the highstreet, and dont find what I need. I have a toddler and I am pregnant so it's also a faff pushing a buggy around shops, especially with one way systems in shops now. If its clothes, I cant try them on anyway, and then would have to go back in to exchange them.

With online shopping its 15 mins and a few clicks online and I am done. I can return in my local post office 5 minute walk from me if I need to. We also have Amazon prime so things come very fast. I know the high street is important for jobs, but 15 mins compared to a whole day planned around one shopping trip. It's a no brainer.

Yes, because I prioritise being able to see my mum and sister. We are in a tier 2 area.

Yes, but I did before the pandemic too.

I don't go to shops right now but REALLY miss them

Early adopter of on-line shopping, mostly because I have never enjoyed 'going shopping' and have childhood memories of being dragged around shops when I had no interest in anything they sold. I know what colour and style I'm looking for and how different fabrics will feel do am pretty confident choosing things on-line. Why limit myself to the selection left in a store when I can have a full pick from the manufacturer or distributor.

I just avoid companies who do not make returns very easy.

During lockdown I've been WFH and been very happy to use the local village post office and convenience store more than usual.

If I never have to go to another shop in my lifetime I would not be sorry. The only thing I can imagine I will still need to do in person is a bra fitting.

Yes because I'm unable to wear a mask for medical reasons and I've been abused by some people for it on the rare occasion I've been to a shop. My husband and kids still go to the shops though and we all go to pubs/restaurants/coffee shops as the ones we frequent are understanding of mine and my dads problems with masks.

No. I make a conscious effort to go to physical shops.

I want to support my local High Street which is a nice mix of chains and independents. I also go to my nearest Market Town; it's a nice place and I want it to survive.

I also need to go and and see perfectly healthy-looking people in their hundreds out and about to reassure myself that most of the population haven't been struck down by Covid and that going out where other people are (SD) won't immediately lead to my demise. And to speak to actual human beings.

@amicissimma

No. I make a conscious effort to go to physical shops.

I want to support my local High Street which is a nice mix of chains and independents. I also go to my nearest Market Town; it's a nice place and I want it to survive.

I also need to go and and see perfectly healthy-looking people in their hundreds out and about to reassure myself that most of the population haven't been struck down by Covid and that going out where other people are (SD) won't immediately lead to my demise. And to speak to actual human beings.

Well said. I appreciate that some people hate shopping, but some of the replies on here are depressing and I get the impression that some posters feel morally superior for avoiding shops altogether.

The thing is I don’t hate shopping, I usually enjoy it. I hate shopping as it is currently. I’m really not selfless enough to spend my limited free time and disposable income doing something I actively find miserable, even though I would be sad to see the high street go under.

Most of the time I order online, but not because I am scared of getting covid, but I can't be bothered to queue to get into shops and have the theatre around sanitiser, it's just easier to order online. B

I will only enter a store if I have no other option. Online, local delivery, and curbside pickup are how I acquire just about everything these days.

At the moment yes- our area is in the top 5 for positive Covid cases and many people I know have it. Finding Aldi on deliveroo has been a godesend!

Yes mostly, but I didn't shop that much in actual shops before lockdown.
Since march I have been to one bookshop, one toyshop, Boots twice, post office once and no supermarkets. Get veg boxes, eggs, milk, recipe boxes delivered weekly, plus some big supermarket deliveries less frequently for cupboard foods. Also used local shops doing delivery quite a bit. Recognise we are in a lucky position to be able to afford to do this but wasn't ever that keen on supermarkets anyway, so now just meal plan a lot more carefully.

No

I am not particularly concerned.

I buy all my clothes online because I hate changing rooms (trigger my anxiety) and I have only three places that sell clothes to fit me.

I buy the Big Shop online, then buy fresh bits through the week locally.

Items for the house, decor etc split between online and high street.

School stuff at the local uniform shop and contributing to Bezos' trillions Amazon.

The cat gets her stuff click and collect from a nationwide pet store.

DH buys most of his hobby stuff online.

Books: Amazon and in person at Foyles bookshop in central London. DD loves to wander around Foyles.

I do visit my local high street for presents etc as there are lots of nice independents.

I always did to be fair. Always had food shopping delivered too.

Only shops I regularly go to are charity shops and the market outside them when I go.

I mostly did before coronavirus and I definitely always do now. I have a weekly supermarket delivery, need very little else and when I do, I buy online. I can't bear the faff of parking, queuing, being around annoying people getting too close to me and everyone asking how I am every 5 minutes!