As for non-grocery items, we use Amazon for a range of odds and ends far wider than before lockdown. This will probably continue too because it is easier and we check prices and reviews and the range is wider than it ever is in shops.
For us I can see all this as a permanent change. We'll use traditional shops again and supermarkets too, but I can't see us going back to those old shopping habits. If only a few million have similar experiences then a major change is just around the corner.
6 comments:
With us, it's the other way around during the lockdown. We usually have groceries delivered because, as you say, it is much more pleasant and time-saving. But we've been unable to get a slot since the start of the lockdown. I expect we'll go back to it.
Given that food stored ready for dispatch doesn't have to be lit, protected from shoplifters, surrounded by adverts and attractively displayed, I wonder if we can expect cheaper groceries when things get going again...
We are like Sam. Have used home deliveries for ages for anything that's a standard branded boxed/tinned/frozen/heavy item, with just occasional shop visits for veg, cheeses and stuff that's better chosen. Sadly we can't get a delivery now. Tesco and Sainsbury's have no slots at all. Managed one from Morrisons but got items substituted with much more expensive ones - and charged for the more expensive item - and some branded items substituted by cheaper items but were charged for the ordered items, and a lot of stuff not in stock and just missed off even though it was shown as in stock and isn't in short supply. Not sure what we will do next week.
As with others no slots or very few distant ones, had a Morrisinghs one like Woodsy42, complete waste of time almost half substituted with unsuitable items which because the drivers are not allowed to take back we had to, which rather negates any advantage of 'home' delivery and some fruit and veg was ready to be thrown away.
And there lies the problem with all online shopping, you cannot see what you are actually buying or getting.
It's not looking good for High Street shops if they have to keep people separate for many more months. The supermarkets will survive, but other shops will not, e.g.:
A ban on trying on clothes? = shop online
Cafe tables 2m apart? = eat & drink at home
And hardware shops, cinemas, pubs & clubs, etc. are all likely to have very tough economic times ahead. Out-of-town stores, with their (usually) free parking and greater floor areas compared with old High Street buildings hopefully will struggle on. But killing the remaining High Street shops may rebound on them - councils stand to lose their business rates from the shops and will be looking for other businesses to bleed.
Sam - I don't know about cheaper, but supermarkets must be hard at work on future plans to predict and take advantage of any permanent change.
Woodsy and Wiggia - we haven't tried Morrison's and after your experience we won't. We've used Iceland a couple of times and found it okay for certain basics. Limited range but it worked well.
Ed - you are right, it's not looking good for High Street shops. We are also expecting one or two cafes to go under round here because they will not be able to run with tables 2m apart.
I think a small explanation on Morrisons, they made a big deal about employing an extra 4000 staff to cope with the demand for deliveries, from what I saw in one store was a lot of youngsters doing the picking who obviously had not a clue what they were doing, it was all a big laugh, there were several groups like that, replicate that and you can see hwy they have a problem, bit off more than they could chew.
Post a Comment