Is everyone going into shops as usual for things you can’t get online?

[Viv0321]

Is everyone going into shops as usual? The ones you can’t get online such as b&m home bargains etc.

Yes, I suppose. But I don’t shop at B&M or home bargains.

I normally buy online but some items have been sold out online recently. Called the respective local stores for a stock check to find that they no longer answer phones, you’re just routed to the company’s main customer service line which was a bit annoying as they didn’t have access to the store’s stock information. Definitely puts me off buying in store as there’s no point in wasting the petrol if they don’t have what I want!

No, apart from petrol stations I haven't been in any shops since lockdown.

I will if I need to.

Yes, I've shopped as normal throughout, I buy next to nothing online and never have

Why do you ask?

I thought maybe the virus had put people off shopping in store

Yes, I am.
I was also visiting the pub and local restaurants until Nicola closed them.

Yes. My job is much riskier than a shop and I am getting bloody bored of constantly having to go to the post office and return stuff I don't want. And then waiting ages for it to get sent back..get the refund etc. I'm very bored of covid and paying it zero attention really but then I also hate shopping

@Viv0321

I thought maybe the virus had put people off shopping in store

Attitudes range from never setting foot in a shop again and shopping totally morally with every position in between

I'm assuming you are in the former camp or you'd know that millions of people are shopping every day.

Why would anyone go to the shops for anything that is not essential. Essential for life. Unless your bedding has vanished, it is not essential right now surely? What can you possibly need from IKEA that is essential to life and not just "nice to have"?
This is how the virus spreads.

Yep

Anything I can’t get online we just wouldn’t buy. Not found anything yet though really we can’t get. It doesn’t feel worth the risk when I can do it online and save a car journey too. Have always shopped online for most things though as quicker, more convenient and can be done anytime.

@Athrawes

Why would anyone go to the shops for anything that is not essential. Essential for life. Unless your bedding has vanished, it is not essential right now surely? What can you possibly need from IKEA that is essential to life and not just "nice to have"? This is how the virus spreads.

Because we are allowed to and want to and because jobs are essential too. They pay for essential things like food. If we all stopped buying anything that wasn’t essential we’d have to shut half our shops. Those ex-employees would struggle.

I'm making a concerted effort to buy as much as I can from my local high street so am shopping in person more now than previously

Nope

Haven't since March

I go to shops as normal....at least, not normal with masks and social distancing, but I mean as much as before COVID.
Food, clothes, electrical items, toiletries, books.....whatever.... Shops desperately need our custom, they are barely making ends meet in some cases, why wouldn't I go? I wear PPE...

Happy to go browsing the bookstores and into the local market (stalls are all outside). Go regularly to garden centres, lots of Christmas stuff...

Only shop online for obscure things I can't find in store.

Yes, I hate online shopping. Only do it if necessary.

I imagine most people's responses are indicative of their pre-covid attitudes. I'm sure my DH has only been in a non-essential shop once or twice since lockdown but that's not unusual for him in normal circumstances. I like shopping so, once shops were open, I went (despite being higher risk with a compromised immune system).

Yes of course.

Why would anyone go to the shops for anything that is not essential

Because I want to. Because I refuse to sit in my house all day. I did that for the best part of two years due to severe anxiety and I'm not doing that again. Going into public places is part of my therapy and I would like to try to keep some stores going and some people in jobs.

Nope. Already have enough exposure risk here as both secondary teachers. All online.

Athrawes - my DD has mobility issues unfortunately and was struggling to get in and out of her bed following yet another operation so we needed to change for one that was lower to the ground and check in store that it was suitable. That's why we went to IKEA. Not sure why I'm being singled out when I said that was the only shop I'd been to since March and others are out and about as normal.

Yes. I order loads online but am going into town tomorrow for coffee, a mooch in John Lewis and lunch. Its not great fun with masks, but I can stand it for an hour.

I buy everything online anyway so no need to go to shops, online is quicker, easier and more choice.

@Athrawes

Why would anyone go to the shops for anything that is not essential. Essential for life. Unless your bedding has vanished, it is not essential right now surely? What can you possibly need from IKEA that is essential to life and not just "nice to have"? This is how the virus spreads.

Stop being ridiculous, the virus is not spreading down Ikea or Poundland, the shops are open and people are allowed to go, there is no more to it.

@Athrawes

Why would anyone go to the shops for anything that is not essential. Essential for life. Unless your bedding has vanished, it is not essential right now surely? What can you possibly need from IKEA that is essential to life and not just "nice to have"? This is how the virus spreads.

I assume you are commenting in relation to the Welsh lockdown. In that Instance, I agree. People can wait two weeks. Generally - why on earth are there people who haven’t been in a shop since March? Seems excessive.