The topshop store in London (oxford st) forbids photography, why?

Question

Whilst touring London yesterday, i took a picture of my sister inside the clothing store topshop , posing happily next to a shelf of handbags and hairbands.

3 seconds later a grumpy young woman telling me 'photography is not allowed in the store, im really sorry' ....what on earth?!

Since when did topshop become a museam? lol!

Someone, please enlighten me and tell me why this major highstreet chain has imposed this odd rule about no picture taking in store please.

Answer 1

It's not just shops, I'm afraid.

More and more places think they have the right to ban photographs, for completely spurious 'security' reasons. I follow various blogs that report every day people being stopped from taking photographs in public places - shops, streets, wherever.

The next time this happens, I recommend you ask the lady to show you exactly where this rule is written down and what right she has to prohibit you from a perfectly legal activity. She won't be able to - because either she or her head office just made it up - and you should just carry on.

Answer 2

most high street stores do forbid photography because someone might be trying to copy the clothing range, it's a bit obvious really.

Answer 3

Perhaps you were a bit close to the changing rooms and they wanted you to stop without embarrassing you?

Answer 4

Hi Sonia,

My undertanding is that someone may use the image to create replicas, and produce them much cheaper.

I was told off for taking a piccie of the Mona Lisa in the Louvre, not that I I am going to do a re-production, but to protect their sales of prints & postcards.

Anyway, some top-shop employees are clueless, semi-trained morons.

Just ignore them !

Bob