The High Street and last days

[SIRandyraven]

I feel it's the beginning of the end for a lot of retailers on the British High Street.
Example today - Went shopping (Would rather have my teeth ground down to be honest).
Went into WH Smith saw an antiques book they wanted £30 - Had ipad with me so used 3G service to check amazon and selling same book for £17.84....Another book Smiths wanted £14 ...Hairy Bikers 12 days of Xmas , amazon have it for £9.50 ...
Went in Watertrstones and same story most books ...went into HMV ..3 out of 5 DVD cheaper on amazon ...but they did have 2 at same price.
Wife wanted some Fuzzy friends slippers ...saw them for £17 ..amazon £11 ...yes they sell slippers ....
Found pub ...had a Diet coke and burger and ordered goods on amazon ....

I think on line will kill the High Street this year ...

[Andyvon]

You're spot on Andy! I think we are seeing the end of retail trade, except for more specialised areas such as Dotty's. I've just been around the shops looking for tools. They don't sell quality tools in the High Street anymore so I had to go round the industrial estates.

Last week I found pairs of aviation snips (sheet metal cutters) for £35 a pair. I looked on-line and found the same ones from Amazon for £11 and £15 a pair! Draper drill sets were almost £40, yet I found the same on Amazon for £19.99. A blow torch was £32 on the shelf but £23 from Amazon.
It's the same with car parts. A set of ignition leads for my Golf are £40 on the shelf, but £19.99 on-line. CDs and DVDs have also been mentioned but they are also much cheaper on-line.

Quite obviously, the shops have to cover staff costs and running costs as well as worry about paying tax and rent - not to mention Health and Safety. It suits all retailers and buyers to shop on-line - but at the expense of the government and economy!

[SIRandyraven]

Sorry Dot ....

WH Smith need to advertise this more ...
I did not even know they were online ....

I have a place for Smiths ...used to love picking up magazines and computer stuff in the early 80's ..they sold computers once ... Amstrad and Sinclair

[pastafreak]

I've only just taken the plunge and 'discovered' amazon.
I LOVE bookshops....but they just don't have the stock variety.
I'm interested in history and cookery...and some odd bits and pieces. I can browse in a bookshop-but too often-there is nothing to see. I went into London back in September-the Waterstone's in Bloombury was a paradise!But the local branch has nothing in comparison.
I now have a list of assorted books on amazon..it will be fun picking them off and getting delivery every couple of weeks.

[fever28]

allthough a 50% saving should not be ignored, I dont mind spending extra in a shop to just have it "now" an extra £1 or 3 is not the end of the world.
I had issues wih online this year and two items still havent arrived i know its not the norm.