Do you think there is more stock still in shops?

[Branbleberries]

I've been doing some online browsing, and finding that a few things that I'd kind of like to order are now out of stock online. I wondered whether shops like John Lewis or even smaller shops like Fat Face or Mint Velvet or whatever would have lots of stock still hanging around in the shops, waiting til they open again, and then it will either be available in store, or it will be sent back to the warehouse to make room for new season stuff, and thus will be available online again.

Anyone work for any of these types of shops and know where all the stock is now located?

@Zinnia I (only) online shop at the same stores as you. I have long since given up on TopShop, Warehouse and the places I once shopped. Do you mind me asking where else you shop? After six years of buying only from these stores, I'd like to broaden my net a little or at least know where else I could go, should anything ever happen to them. That said I'm really pleased they were fair during this pandemic.

as hammeringinmyhead . It might seem logical to us that in store stock be used to fulfil online purchases, but the logistics of that are complicated. I bet some stores did have their tech dept frantically working behind the scenes to try and align the databases and make this happen, but I think more likely, when the shops open on 15th or whenever, there are going to be racks of stuff we couldn't get hold off online that will now have to be sold off at rock bottom prices to clear the shelves. I also think once they can clear the store stock back to warehouses, online sites will have permanent "outlet" sections when they didn't previously.

Not good for the retailer, but I think there will be some excellent sales coming our way soon.

@Sittingontheveranda I love this question! With advance apologies to the OP for going off at a tangent here...

Short answer: Toast and Uniqlo, at opposite ends of the price spectrum. See the Toast thread on here at the moment - trousers, jumpsuits, coats and knitwear in particular. They expanded their sale last night but keep an eye on it as returns from sale part 1 should start coming in soon mine for example. Look past the sea of rayon on Uniqlo and they have some excellent stuff in cotton, and their merino and cashmere knitwear is superb for the price.

Also John Lewis for the Kin range (size down!), Modern Rarity (quite Arket in style) and the brands in their "Loved & Found" section - mostly Scandi, usually also found on Zalando, which has great sales. The main three are the (confusingly-named) Just Female, Selected Femme and Second Female, as well as Samsoe & Samsoe (slightly more expensive). These brands also stocked at Plumo & Anthropologie. The former probably more up your street but £££.

And few things give me as much pleasure as unearthing a gem at M&S and seeing people's faces where they ask me where I got it!

@Zinnia Thank you Zinnia. Toast is completely outside my price range even in the sale. Also I find them hard to wear as the clothes are softer than Cos so on me tend to look frumpy instead of looking cool the way they do on others. I sometimes buy from Anthropologie in the sales and I am now planning a lovely evening looking at all the other websites you have recommended. Thank you so much for taking the time to write them down.