Only 2 places I can think of right now that I actively avoid, although there are lots of stores that I don't really feel any desire to shop at because they're not my style.

F21 - I get an instant headache the minute I walk into one of their stores. The music is SO LOUD and so are the teenagers.

American Apparel - the only store that I am actually boycotting for ethical reasons. Their CEO and their ads really offend me.

Well, honestly, I avoid Guess. That is because of a profound antipathy for a former (perhaps present? I don't know) celebrity spokeswoman who almost perfectly represents everything I don't want to be. (Funny story there. My son was once trapped in their outlet on Rodeo Drive, accompanying some friends who were shopping. Pictures of the afore-mentioned celebrity were plastered all over the walls. He made some comment and the SA gushed, "Oh no, no, she is wonderful! So nice! After he left the store, she came running out and told him that she had just said that because she had to on the job, that the woman was actually really awful.)

I am seriously considering getting informed about labour practices too, and avoiding stores or brands that are guilty of flagrant exploitation.

Other than that, I prefer to be loyal to stores that consistently come through for me, so they are my go-tos. Not that I refuse to go elsewhere, but my primary constraint is limited energy, so it makes a lot of sense for me to start with stores where I am more likely to find things. I am certainly open to discovering new ones though, which is why I like listening to you guys.

Such an interesting conversation.

Elisabeth, I'm laughing...I think you should come to the Kingston LuLu Lemon. There, you will never have to fear the frozen smile of a SA, because in my experience, the ones here are so far along to nirvana that they don't even SEE anyone else. It is a wonderful thing to be able to meditate while on the job.

Fortunately, in this town, they don't have to work to make the sales, so the store's expanding to larger premises!

I am avoiding Coldwater Creek because that's where I shopped 35 lbs. ago. Also because my mother shops there.

I am also avoiding the online flash sale sites for shoes and clothing. I'm not sure I've ever been successful with any flash sale purchase -- the shoes never fit, and the clothes hang in my closet unworn. In fact, I have two jackets with the tags still on that are going to consignment next week.

I avoid mainly the "fast fashion" stores like H&M, Forever 21 and Zara primarily because it's too easy to spend money there, and I tend to get tired of the styles after a while. Plus, the cuts of the clothing on the mentioned stores don't seem to fit my proportions.

I'm not purposely avoiding any stores either but I wasn't aware of labor issues w old navy and target. So that may change.

I don't really avoid any place. My favorite store is JCPenney, but I often shop at Macy's because it is close to where I live. I also love Ann Taylor Loft. The one place I don't shop is Sears, at least not for clothes. Does anyone shop at Sears for clothes?

I bought some nice Lands End pajamas at Sears. I've given up for awhile on Allsaints because their sizes/fit is all over the place and returning via post is a pain. I also wish they'd show their clothes on people to give better context.

My set of store selection is very different (oh to have a Nordstrom's Rack), but we do have a lot of H&Ms and Zaras. I get a fair amount of kids clothing at H&M but haven't found anything there I wanted in some time. Zara is more tempting but the quality is so all over the place I try to limit myself to basics like t-shirts. There are quite a lot of local brands, but I get my local clothes second hand and my non-local clothes on ebay for the most part.

Mine has nothing to do with shipping rates or customer service woes. Neiman Marcus (online). There's a pair of shoes I kind of desperately want, but I so don't need yet another pair, and I know if I go back to the site before they're sold out in my size I'm going to wind up with them. Hopefully they sell out soon.

I don't discriminate:)

I'm not avoiding any stores because of their quality or policies but am staying away right now because I can't afford it and all the seasonal sales are such temptations.

I was treated rudely at Barneys so I feel uncomfortable going in there. Plus, I now avoid Loehman's because I buy things I shouldn't (high end designer stuff dramatically reduced but I never wear it), and I can't return anything because they only have a 2 week return policy.

The list of stores I am happy with is far bigger than the ones I'm not.

Interesting, ladies! I have so few brick and mortar choices - I always forget how much some people have within their reach. My original post was more about online shopping, so it's been interesting to read about IRL temptation and customer service problems....

I try not to leave any rerail stone unturned, but am trying to stay away from ALL stones for a bit.

I am also a mostly online shopper and am getting tired of shipping and return costs. It's not so much any one site, but cumulatively I have spent well over $100 this year just for the privilege of trying things on. It's a bummer for sure.

I don't avoid Abercrombie: I stop, drop, and roll. Then I complain to mall management about the toxic seepage.