Why we aren't shopping in shops

I've had to have my shopping delivered because of my disabilities which is really useful and enjoy meeting the delivery men because it's the contact we miss. I like the whole shopping experience and just window shopping sometimes. It's going to be so sad to lose this

We have independent butcher, fish shop, bakery, chemist and greengrocers plus a few independent clothes shops too in our town in UK. Plus a craft shop , hardware store and specialist stores. We have a mix of chain and independent cafes & restaurants. Also have some of the usual high st stores inc. Waitrose and a mega Sainsbury.

I did go into M&Co this morning in a town near us and was surprised to find that they have a range of Dash clothes, although quite limited.
And I don't think they could be classed as 'dirt cheap' when compared to somewhere like Primark, even their own range. I bought some nice crop trousers a few weeks ago and they were nearly £30 and so far have worn and washed well.

Town was busy, Waitrose was busy and there seemed to be plenty of people shopping in the High Street.

Where I live, the high streets are thriving.
We have at least 3 independent butchers shops plus a fresh fish shop and the only chain shops similar to the UK are a Lidl and an Aldi in my local town.
The main supermarket is a chain (SuperValu) but it is operated as a franchise so whilst some of the offers are nationwide, there is a lot of variation in the goods sold depending to the franchise owner. Ours is owned by a family who all work on the shop floor and know most of the customers by name. I'd like to see Lord Sainsbury do that.
There's no Tesco, Boots, Next, Costa etc. because the local shops (& Saturday market) offer something better so no-one desires these types of chain stores. (Saying that, there was a lot of consternation when Aldi opened last Autumn.)
The boutique clothes shops offer a good fashionable range of clothes although they are a bit pricier compared to the dirt cheap mass produced offerings available in the U.K. by companies such as M&Co., Asda and Sainsbury's.
The bonus ball?
We have plenty of free parking.
I went back to the UK last month to visit some relatives and I'd forgotten just how bland many town centres in the UK have become.
It really doesn't have to be that way.

DH bought a new phone from O2 this morning in about 5 minutes! He said the young chap was very helpful and understanding! It was to replace the phone he left in his raincoat pocket before putting the in the washing machine

I have found one problem with online shopping - poor after sales service! Long waits on the phone to talk to customer service (an oxymoron if ever there was one!), CSRs who haven't a clue what I'm talking about. I could go on and on. In person shopping gets me results quicker, with a better chance of a positive experience, even if I have the inconvenience of the trip to the store.

Antonia, if clothes shops survive for the reason you give - and I absolutely agree with you. I rarely buy clothes on line then food shops will also survive.

I would not consider ordering food online unless it was a very basic product, like Heinz baked beans. I would never buy meat, fresh fish, fresh vegetables, or most dairy and bakery products sight unseen - and you lose out on being able to hurriedly reorganise ones menu plan because something especially good is available or something is on special offer.

I too mainly shop online. Parking charges high for local shopping mall. Have couple of supermarkets I visit for top ups late evening just before closing. Daytime shopping is awful round here car parks are heaving! Local town quite small so no shops as such. Shopping really boring, click and collects useful.

I shop mainly on line because I find physically shopping is boring. I also don't like paying for parking - although supermarkets are usually free - especially when you have to guess how long you'll be and be constantly watch checking thereafter. We now have a lovely little Simply Fresh shop nearby for fruit, veg, bread and the odd treat which I actually enjoy visiting as I can walk there relatively easily.

This small town is very well served by three supermarkets: one 'high end', one 'middle of road' and one so-called 'discount', plus an 'open-all-hours' Co-op. There are also two or three boutiques, which appear to be well patronised. I sometimes 'click and collect' from M&S and pick up the odd bargain from Ebay. I've only ordered groceries on line twice, when I've been out of action. I'd never order fruit and veg on line - I need to see what I'm buying.

In the town where I live shopping locally is heavily encouraged and I try to do so. The council has a policy of keeping larger stores out despite the local traders telling them repeatedly it would help footfall to have a few of the larger shops. I cannot buy any decent make up, jeans or tights in this town let alone anything a bit nicer to wear so I go to a city or buy on line. I miss the days of going into a dress shop and being helped by an assistant who knew the stock and was amendable to trying on multiple items which she would suggest and whisk away the rejects. What |I object to dreadfully is the horrible question 'You alright there?', (and I've said that with a whine in my voice). Whatever happened to 'Good morning Can I help you?. Grrrrrrrr!!!!

I do most of my shopping online, except for clothes and even then I often use M&S online. Our nearest town has the usual shops but everywhere is so similar now, you could be anywhere in England.
The other day I noticed that several Amazon Collection Lockers have been placed near the entrance to the multi storey car park. Another nail in the coffin for the shops.

I expect they'll go for Collection Points, for parcels. I think they already exist in some places.

Online shopping is the future, whether we like it or not. I think clothing outlets will survive for a long time simply because people like to try clothes on before buying, but for almost everything else, including food, the online giants are going to reign supreme. High streets will definitely change.
Off topic I know, but while I think of it, letter boxes will need to change too as more and more people get deliveries of parcels that won't fit through a standard letter box, and in any case, fewer and fewer people and companies actually write physical letters any more.

I certainly don't just criticise. I give credit where it's due, and make a point of doing the online survey or review if I've had good service. The only time I give negative feedback is if I've had very poor service. Which the OP had, by the sound of it.

Monica our local Robert Dyas has those coathangers!

Online is cheaper and, for time poor people, saves a morning in town.

Sad because more and more High Streets are becoming solely full of 'service' outlets: cafes, opticians, hair and nail salons etc. which need people to attend in peron. I do try to use local & independent shops/cafes on a weekly basis.

Yes I agree Jane10 we do not tell people when we have been impressed by their service or the way they did their job but are quick to criticise. I was very happy with the service I received in Specsavers and told them so. Also the dept who dealt with my EHIC card, very helpful and a rapid response.

I only buy online what I cannot find in the local shops without much searching. My last online purchase was 20 wooden coat hangars, the good old-fashioned sturdy suit type. The second was a specialist book in the sale of a specialist bookseller. I would not find it in a local bookshop, and as it was being remaindered they probably could not order it in for me.

I had 2 hours of undivided attention from the staff at the phone shop I went to. The service absolutely couldn't have been better.
I was also so impressed by Specsavers branch I went to that I asked if there was a formal way to compliment the staff. We are very quick to complain so I'm happy to give credit where it's due.
Bottom line :service in shops varies enormously. It's not the same everywhere.

The people in my nearest Car phone warehouse have always been really good and helpful. When I took my phone in once because I had some problem which I had tried and failed to put right, he fixed it for free and said "my Mum would have done what you did"

The reason we are not shopping in shops is because we buy things cheaper on the internet and then local shops close down. Nothing to do with the service.
The buying things on line comes first, not as a result of bad service, but because we want things cheaper.

Ohh dear that sounds dreadful, yes with bad service & higher prices it's no wonder so much shopping is done on line, more choice etc,but it will be so sad to loose shops towns & jobs,as the song says ' for the times they are a changing'