If you know me, you will know that I love a bit of retail therapy. Since having children, I have chosen to shop online more and more. When they kids were tiny it was just so much easier. I didn’t need to bother about finding somewhere to sit if they needed to be fed, or wondering if they would be due for a nap or not. I’d even do my supermarket shopping online!
Now that they are bigger and they are happier to be out and about at the shops (and it is easier to get them fed when you’re out and about), I find myself going to the high street more and more. Sometimes it is just nice to have a browse, but I much prefer if there is something I am on the look out for. A third (34%) of respondents in a recent survey in Surrey, said they most prefer to shop online. So 66% of people close by to me prefer shopping in a store – I am not alone!
Browsing
I like to have a look in a few other shops too and find a few hidden gems. I think that is something that you miss out on when you shop online. I was in my local high street the other day (Epsom) and I was having a look in a few shops. In the survey about shopping, people in Surrey said they they went to their local high street on average of two times per week. I wouldn’t say I go that often, but I know some people do go very often. I was just browsing but saw some awesome little trinkets that would be perfect for our dining table centrepiece display (I like to have one for each season, sad, I know). I found a large pineapple candle and a rose gold little candle holder, perfect for a small pillar candle.
I wasn’t looking out of them as such, but come across them as I was browsing. They were both in the sale no less too! More than 2 in 5 people in the Surrey shopping survey said they have found a surprise bargain you didn’t even know they wanted. I agree as things aren’t laid out online like they are in a store. So you don’t get browsing as you do in store. I quite like the browsing!
Trying On Clothes
One of the downsides to shopping online is that you can’t try things on. It is fine if you know your size in a certain store, but if it is somewhere that you haven’t shopped before, you can get in a bit of a pickle. Companies make it easy to return items but it is just a faff. You have had to wait for delivery, trundle off to post it back and then wait to get a refund. It is all a lot quicker when you shop in store. This is a major thing for me when buying shoes and trainers – I tend to be different sizes in different stores so it is hard to know my size!
You Can Make a Day Of It
I like that you can make a bit more of a day of being in town too. You can grab some food or a hot chocolate and spend as long as you want, if you want. I often meet friends in town for a catch up and it is always our destination for a girls meal out. We go to the high street quite often at weekends too and fit in breakfast or lunch in between looking for what we want.
Do you prefer shopping online or on your local high street? I’d love to hear what you think.
*sponsored post for Quidco’s #HighStreetHappy campaign.
Oo! I love to shop and do both. I am totally a high street shopper and spend most of my weekend shopping. Even if I don’t my anything I love looking in the shops, trying to find bargains, having a nice lunch out. It’s may favourite thing to do xx
Sarah cantwell recently posted…Me and Mine – April 2016
I really love online shopping. But recently I went clothes shopping with hubby and had an amazing time.
Jodie recently posted…A #MomsDayOffContest With Crocs
I love both but it depends on what I’m buying. I do tend to buy my clothes from actual shops as I can never be sure that I get the sizing right.
Kizzy recently posted…Taking Stock: April
I am all about the online shopping. It makes life a whole lot easier. I only go out to shop very rarely – mainly when I don’t know how things might fit and look. But I don’t enjoy it and far prefer my parcels #KCACOLS
I must say I am still a high street girl as are are whole family which is crazy given the difficulty of getting to shops from deepest Cornwall. But the trying on thing and spotting a bargain is so hard online. #KCACOLS
Coombe Mill – Fiona recently posted…Padstow Tide Times for 30th April 2016
I still prefer to buy on the high street mainly as you can see and feel the quality and try clothes on. That said, juggling with a pram and ignorant people that appear to intend to walk through you unless you move out their way does make online shopping more appealing! #kcacols
I’m definitely an online shopper but more for convenience. If I go shopping I love to make a day of it with a friend and add lunch in and maybe post shop cocktails before heading home – so that doesn’t happy very often as you can imagine! Lovely photos! #˚çåçø¬
justsayingmum recently posted…“But You’ll Look Like A Mum!”
The convenience of online shopping is definitely a winner. However, I do love high street shopping. It is nice to get out of the house apart from anything else 🙂
Thanks so much for linking up with #KCACOLS. Hope you return next week:)
Sara Skillington recently posted…From Planting to Plate! 8 Important Reasons To Garden & Cook With Your Kids
Being on Jersey where we are quite limited by the shops we have I often shop online but you look like you have some great shops 🙂 #KCACOLS
Emma recently posted…BiBs 2016 *warning may contain nudity and Dirty Dancing*
I like both to be honest, but I love our local greengrocer – so much cheaper and much better quality than anything online! #KCACOLS
I’ve never gotten in to buying clothes online for the reason you mention – trying stuff on. I much prefer to try things and I cant be bothered with the faff of taking things back! I also love charity shops! #KCACOLS
I actually never go shopping, where w alive I hate going into town. I always shop online. Looks like a beautiful day on the first picture. x
Blogging Mummy recently posted…JCB Kids Twitter Party
I’m not the most patient person so I prefer shopping online – going to a shop and finding they don’t have what I want, or just not my size, or whatever drives me mad. Then I just can’t remember why I didn’t just order it online in the first place… 🙂 #KCACOLS
Jess Powell (Babi a Fi) recently posted…This Week #33
Online shopping is so convenient but there’s nothing quite like hunting on the high street and finding a bargain!
Gemma recently posted…Dummy Fairy follow up
I tend to do most of my shopping online these days, because what you said is completely true – if I browse the high street I see all sorts of great things that I end up really wanting to buy! x #KCACOLS
Oh, I love shopping online! It’s easy, quick, and simple-and doesn’t take much thinking power. Like you said, it doesn’t require packing up (and lugging out a HUGE diaper bag), which is just easier. But, there’s something to be said about spending the day at the mall. I LOVE trying on new clothes, and some of my favorite clothes that I do own were tried on first! There’s just nothing like being able to see the piece on your body before buying! #KCACOLS
Fab post, I have almost completely stopped shopping, mostly because my five year old likes to hide inbetween the rails and I do not have the energy to rummage. So I do it all online. I miss trying things on and not haveing to reurn via post office! #KCACOLS
Great post. I do both and love doing both If i go shopping out I do prefer to have a full day of it
Life as Mum recently posted…May!
I prefer shopping online for groceries because they’ll bring them straight to your door but the high street for presents and clothes, which are a bit more personal #KCACOLS
Crummy Mummy recently posted…How I doubled my Twitter following in 16 weeks
I tend to do 95% of my shopping online. When I go to the shops, I end up ‘impulse buying’ and that’s not good! I still prefer going to a shop to buy things like new foundation, underwear or perfume.
Mel recently posted…Mango Chutney & Tacos
I’m used to love shopping in the high street but these days you can get cash back and discount codes online so i much prefer doing that. Plus I hate trying clothes on in changing rooms. The mirrors are evil! Xx
Alex Lamb & Bear recently posted…What’s In My Hospital Bag? For Mum…