I haven't shopped in my local town since before Christmas, when I visited the make-up department to buy the expensive mascara I have used for years; the assistant wasn't available except on Saturdays, the assistant I prised away from her counter made a desultory search, said it wasn't available and shrugged her shoulders when I said I had made a special trip to buy it. She should have tried to sell me one of her products but couldn't be bothered.
By contrast, the large department stores in Southampton and Chichester are well-stocked and anxious to help.
I do most of my shopping in nearby small county town, where there is no M & S, Boots or department store, but there is a Waitrose, a Co-op, W.H. Smiths Moshulu, Crew, Seasalt, Phase Eight, and butchers, bakers, green-grocers, a wonderful book shop and a cookshop, plus other shoe and dress shops and numerous gift shops, newsagents, post office and banks. It lacks a good chemist; surely one will open soon.
And you can park for three hours for 80p!