[Closed] Who has been to a non-essential shop this week?

I'm with you, no interest in shopping for leisure personally - but I've no objection to others doing so if it's handled right.

Private Eye had a great cartoon about this recently, wife asking husband: "Is there anything we don't need from the shops?"

Not since Christmas.

I went out for a ride into town yesterday just for a nosey at the idiots. I did actually call into a shop. A vape shop to stock up on e-cig liquids. Just because they're back open again, I always got my liquids (and e-cigs) from there, pre-lockdown, and I know that while they've still been doing mail order, they're struggling.

So more on a 'support your local business' reason, rather than me absolutely having to have some new trackies from Sports Direct. I did ride actually ride past Sports Direct and there was an enormous queue outside. Bonkers!

Haven't been to any shops this week, but certainly won't be going to bloody Primark to stock up on cheap tat!

No but I intend to tomorrow. I've worn all my joggers out, as that's all I've worn for about 90 days straight (bar a suit for 2hrs at a funeral)

I'll mask up and keep my distance as best I can

Nope, #Wales...

Well, I went to B&Q... how essential it was for me to get another set of shelves for the garage is open to debate, but they're an essential shop.

The only non essentials shops I'm waiting for are the barbers and the pub.

certainly won’t be going to bloody Primark to stock up on cheap tat!

TBF they do some decent stuff for knocking around in and their running kit is great considering the price of it - some of my goto gear is from Primark.

I went to my local outdoor store yesterday. I wanted to see for myself the difference between the Lowe Alpine Fjell 4 litre vs Mesa 6 litre bum bags. I find it hard to tell online.

Plus I wanted to support my local store, even if it was only a small purchase.

Only shops I've been in for the past 3 months have been Lidl, Screwfix, Wickes and B&Q, can't see that changing any time soon TBH, I hate shopping in the town center.

I'm kinda hoping that this might lead to a few more chains closing down and town centers becoming places people go to do stuff rather than just "shop". I don't care if that means they're full of coffee shops, I like coffee, and it comes with cake!

I went to the Co-Op for beer and sweets, does that count?

No, but will do later in the week.
Got a face to face work meeting to go to and will pop into Town to see what’s what.

I haven't been inside any shop since the beginning of March. Actually, haven't been inside any building except my house since then...weird times, eh?

No but then apart from food shopping I very rarely ever go in them anyway.

Primark running kit is brilliant, their shorts are my go to, but that doesn't fit with the holy narrative on here, so I'll keep it to myself 😉

Why do you feel the need to shame anyone that decides they want to go to a shop? The government say its ok, so whats the problem?

Why do you feel the need to shame anyone that decides they want to go to a shop? The government say its ok, so whats the problem?

This is a very good question, both to STW and to the wider media as there seem to be large amounts of people looking down their nose at others (note the mention of Primark and Sports Direct, but not of the similar queues to Selfridges). In fact, shouldn’t be be encouraging people to go to the shops in the hope of kicking the economy back to life?

In fact, shouldn’t be be encouraging people to go to the shops in the hope of kicking the economy back to life?

Depends if you buy into the narrative about the economy being sacrosanct and unfettered year-on-year growth being a good thing, I guess.

In fact, shouldn’t be be encouraging people to go to the shops in the hope of kicking the economy back to life?

Or take the opportunity to change. Having an economy that is reliant on people buying crap made by lower paid people in another country is not really a great economy is it...

Nope, not me but in a full & frank admission i haven't been in any shop for well over a year, admittingly i do have a valid reason/excuse

admittingly i do have a valid reason/excuse

Do they all have your picture behind the till next to the emergency button?

I went to the Co-Op for beer and sweets, does that count?

I said non-essential.

Ha, nah...I am only banned from one shop in town for punching the racist brexity owner after i overheard him making a comment "we had ****ing ****'s in stinking the place out", that was 3 years ago when i was relatively stable when standing.

secondary progressive ms btw so don't go shopping no more, not that i was ever a shopper/browser at all apart from food shopping (obviously).

admittingly i do have a valid reason/excuse

Prison?

As it was Monday, I went for a ride before work and a ride after work and didn't pass a shop other than my local Co-op.

I miss some shops, but they mainly sell coffee, cake, beer, wine or all of the above.

Sorry, as this is STW I should have included John Lewis in my original question.

Not me and won't be for the foreseeable.
Might buy some sports related stuff online but that would have happened irrespective of CV19.
Do I need more....clothes, shoes, electronics, stuff generally - no.
Can I differentiate between wants and needs? Yes.

What the gov should be doing is recognising the structural imbalances in the UK economy.
I cannot recall anything meaningful from johnson or any of his crew about how they propose to develop a economy for the post-CV19 world.
Vague talk about technology and the green economy.
Are sharma and zahawi waiting for cummings to give them their scripts?

I had an ice cream today.

Or take the opportunity to change. Having an economy that is reliant on people buying crap made by lower paid people in another country is not really a great economy is it…

Yea, but in the absence of a new workhouse being built in every town we're hardly able to go back from minimum wage retail jobs to minimum wage manufacturing jobs overnight just to satisfy some peoples general inkling that everything was better in Victorian times because only primary/secondary industries are 'real' jobs.

Depends if you buy into the narrative about the economy being sacrosanct and unfettered year-on-year growth being a good thing, I guess.

Maybe a valid point behind this, but I'm not sure stunting that growth by laying off the people working on the high street who are generally not the best paid to start with is the most egalitarian way to do that.

Make the STW forumites, bastion of middle class privilege that we are take a 50% pay cut so that those in lower paid / pointless jobs can quit their careers and pursue something more fulfilling in the arts maybe a noble aim, but mostly people like to concentrate on that last bit and assume that some other group of society will work a bit harder for a bit less so they themselves can do something more artistically worthwhile / pointless.

Otherwise we're stuck with the least worst option of the capitalist treadmill.

Why do you feel the need to shame anyone that decides they want to go to a shop? The government say its ok, so whats the problem?

Same reason they feel the need to criticize people sticking to the rules in other areas, see the "are we allowed to ride in groups now?" thread.

Nah, and will be very unlikely, won't be needing work clobber as it is likely we'll be at home till the end of the year or beyond by my reckoning. Everything else is local places for food or online, and we've been supporting smaller businesses over the big boys for that too. Very pleased though that the chiropractor I use opened today as need my shoulder looking at, my scheduled appointment was last Friday and it had to be cancelled.

Went to Specsavers to get my glasses repaired after Funkette stepped on them. Other than that I haven’t been in any shops in god knows how long. Way before lockdown started I think. Each to their own though. I just don’t see the appeal of queuing for, well, anything really.

large amounts of people looking down their nose at others (note the mention of Primark and Sports Direct, but not of the similar queues to Selfridges

A lot of this from friends on social media.

I need some casual shorts and joggers really. Might see what Tesco have in at the weekend.

We have been to IKEA this week. Our 15 year old dining chairs died just before lockdown and we were going to go the day after they closed. Working from home on a new firm dining chair had been lovely today

certainly won’t be going to bloody Primark to stock up on cheap tat!

The cheap Primark shorts have outlasted the pricy Dickies by about 10 fold so far.

Popped into Boots to get some anti histamine cream and while I was there popped around the corner to the Polish supermarket for beer and a chat. Not essential but pleasant. Yes I did wear a mask.

I haven't been to one yet, but I do have holes in my shoes so I'll have to brave trainer shops shortly.

I did sit on the steps of the market hall in Ross-on-Wye during a break on yesterday's bike ride and watch large numbers of over 70s ping pong from shop to shop which doesn't seen wise in a Covid hot spot.

I went out for a ride into town yesterday just for a nosey at the idiots. I did actually call into a shop. A vape shop to stock up on e-cig liquids. Just because they’re back open again, I always got my liquids (and e-cigs) from there, pre-lockdown, and I know that while they’ve still been doing mail order, they’re struggling.

So more on a ‘support your local business’ reason, rather than me absolutely having to have some new trackies from Sports Direct. I did ride actually ride past Sports Direct and there was an enormous queue outside. Bonkers!

This post just reeks of a massive contradiction. Its ok for you to get e-cigs (non essential) from someone you said you know is doing mail order, but someone can't go to town and pick up some new clothes. Sounds like your "nosy at the idiots" is pretty much classist.

Luckily for me bike shops are essential so my shopping habits are fine!!

I have been wondering how to buy masks without having a mask to go shopping with.

Same as P-Jay, in Wales so they're not open!

Mind you when I think about it there's nothing since lockdown I have needed and couldn't get anyway, the only non-essential shop I have needed but couldn't use is the hairdressers.

Went into Waterstones this afternoon and bought a book. I like real books, been catching up on some that I’ve had lying around for ages, and while Waterstones isn’t a small independent like Toppings or Mr B’s Emporium in Bath, it’s still a proper bookshop, so deserving of support.
Also went into Wilko’s for essential animal food and Iceland for my Crunchy Nut.
But they’re essential shops.
Oh, and one of the cafes is doing takeout coffee, so I could sit outside in the sun and drink one before walking home. Again, not essential, but nice to be able to do.

I haven’t been inside any shop since the beginning of March. Actually, haven’t been inside any building except my house since then…weird times, eh?

I've been inside one building other than my house - the hospital. I walked from one end to the other (they closed the doors the other end) to sit in a waiting room for 2 minutes to go back outside into a mobile MRI machine. That part of the hospital (Royal Salford) was near empty of people, was pretty weird.

This post just reeks of a massive contradiction

Its called the human condition. Highly contagious.

Went into Gooutdoors, they have been open for ages, not sure how. The shops are so big it didn't feel in any way a risk of catching anything, at least not compared to working in a hospital.

I used to enjoy taking the wife out for a bit of shopping, spot of lunch etc but if it’s anything like food shopping, social distancing is making it far too much of a nightmare. And also the fact I still can’t have a bit of lunch. Once it drops to 1 meter and cafes open I will venture out

Have to say we rarely visit shops, but most stuff online these days. I do like wandering round the odd outdoor shop, buying yet more outdoor kit I don't need is my guilty pleasure.

Years ago I went to Primark once out of curiosity, it was quite an experience. The etiquette seemed to be you picked something off the rack to look at and then just dropped it on the floor if you didn't like it. A very different experience from the mens wear section of John Lewis, which I visit about once every three years.

I have been wondering how to buy masks without having a mask to go shopping with.

Unless you use public transport, you don't need one?

Been to Wickes ... 200 bags of multi-finish when I arrived in the queue.
Last bags sold before I went in so left before I entered hence technically not been in and does not having a wall count as "essential" in summer?

Been to Wickes … 200 bags of multi-finish when I arrived in the queue.

Ours is still click and collect only, you can't turn up and browse / queue....

EDIT I lied, Travis Perkins I was thinking of...

As I've been quoted a couple of times, I just want state that I'm not being all stw and elitist. I won't be queuing up outside John Lewis to stock up on over priced tat either. Although I have very nearly bought a new TV a couple of times recently from JL online....

I get that people want some normality but I just don't get why anyone was that desperate to go and join a queue at 7 in the mornin! I reckon very few of those queuing at primark have worn out their only joggers or need new running gear. A lot of them probably just want a new top they can wear once now they can meet a mate in the park then bin it cos its cheap.

I've been looking forward to shops reopening, it'll give people something else to do rather than littering up the great outdoors.

A lot of them probably just want a new top they can wear once now they can meet a mate in the park then bin it cos its cheap.

Maybe. But there’s nothing wrong with that, right?

I have been wondering how to buy masks without having a mask to go shopping with.

Unless you use public transport, you don’t need one?

I thought it was required on public transport but advised elsewheree if distancing is tricky ( apart from school where distancing is tricky but masks are not needed).

A real STW snob thread!

Unless you use public transport, you don’t need one?

It just needs a to be a covering such as buff.

And to answer the original question no I haven’t because I haven’t needed to yet.

I get that people want some normality but I just don’t get why anyone was that desperate to go and join a queue at 7 in the mornin!.................................
............ A lot of them probably just want a new top they can wear once now they can meet a mate in the park then bin it cos its cheap.

I find it equally mystifying... if I had to get up at 5am for something not work it would be to go somewhere with the bikes.

More often than not that involves flying down a mountain, crashing and reasonably often breaking bones.

I'll be honest... if push comes to shove I can look round a toolshop or go to decathalon to buy a tubeless anchovie kit and spend an hour in the store before leaving with some neoprene booties, tennis balls and I can't remember what else.. though that was 4 years ago now.

We were mentally busy today.

Everyone was sensible .

All good.

Hopefully same again tomorrow.

Without wanting to be judgmental, both my g/f and I were somewhat bewildered as to why horde of people were queuing at stupid o’clock in the morning just to get into sodding Primark!
But then, why were people panic buying truck-loads of bog rolls?
Having wandered around town today, the majority of shops are still closed, Argos is, rather surprisingly.
I might go down to Bath next week, just to have a browse round HMV.

Bought a replacement battery for my wife's ebike and a new saddle for her road bike. I'm sure some would call that non-essential

Kids need new shoes as they're doing that growing thing...off to Town on Saturday to get their feet measured (by appointment) and buy new shoes.
I've been out in the 'real world' a fair bit, it's alright, if a little strange.
Queue for B&Q yesterday put me off though.

Not a chance. I don't think it's particularly safe, and fortunately at this stage the Scottish government agrees. It's just part of the Tory push to "save the economy".

Having said that, I haven't bought much in an actual shop other than food for a long time. I decided last year that I was going to be more conscious when I buy stuff- after all, everything has an environmental as well as monetary cost- so have a one in one out policy for clothes and only if the old item is truly worn out.

As for Primark, no chance. A friend of ours used to be a buyer for a few other high street shops until he retired, traveling out to the factories in the far East. He said Primark's methods are to place an enormous order, cancel it a week before the completion date then, with the factory facing bankruptcy, offer to buy the order at a fraction of the agreed price. Buying fewer clothed from a more reputable source is better than supporting that kind of business model which has an impact on already poor people's lives.

He said Primark’s methods are to place an enormous order, cancel it a week before the completion date then, with the factory facing bankruptcy, offer to buy the order at a fraction of the agreed price.

Sounds like one of those classic urban myths. Next you’ll be telling me Wetherspoons buys out if date beer.

https://www.retail-insight-network.com/news/primark-releases-suppliers-list-show-transparency/

Same as P-Jay, in Wales so they’re not open!

Mind you when I think about it there’s nothing since lockdown I have needed and couldn’t get anyway, the only non-essential shop I have needed but couldn’t use is the hairdressers.

Oh tell me about it they'll no doubt open Barbers sooner in England too. 'luckily' work takes me across the Bridge fairly often - I've found a few places on my route that have an online booking facility.

A real STW snob thread!

Yeah... but we've got all the form in the world for that. I mean 'we're' supposedly to be too clever to be taken in by the press, but Primark, the very shop on most front pages got all the initial flack.

As ever, for every 2 page moaning thread about the latest round of lock down relation regs, no one is offering an alternative other than staying at home, well unless you're out enjoying your hobby, which is perfectly acceptable, or going to the LBS, which of course is 'essential', or until the pubs open again.

I do more than wonder how many STWers will be quite so attached to their oh so lofty moral high ground when they realise the 'wasteful consumer lead economy' is the very same one that gave them their comfortable lifestyle.

but certainly won’t be going to bloody Primark to stock up on cheap tat!

A friend's kids are (like most kids their age) growing like crazy. In the 3 months in lockdown, one of them has now just 1 pair of joggers that sort of fit...As she also furloughed and the kids won't stop growing (the ungrateful bastards) , she's trying not to be too spendy...Primark it is then.

Yeah… but we’ve got all the form in the world for that. I mean ‘we’re’ supposedly to be too clever to be taken in by the press, but Primark, the very shop on most front pages got all the initial flack.
As ever, for every 2 page moaning thread about the latest round of lock down relation regs, no one is offering an alternative other than staying at home, well unless you’re out enjoying your hobby, which is perfectly acceptable, or going to the LBS, which of course is ‘essential’, or until the pubs open again.
I do more than wonder how many STWers will be quite so attached to their oh so lofty moral high ground when they realise the ‘wasteful consumer lead economy’ is the very same one that gave them their comfortable lifestyle.

Well said

‘Wasteful consumer-led economy’ doesn't lead to comfortable lifestyles. Exploited labour, pollution arising from externalising costs, tat that's in the landfill within 8 weeks, it degrades our lifestyles and environment. As the Reverend Billy says, 'Stop shopping'.