having just flown from DUB this morning i was thinking about this exact thing because LHR is just atrocious.

not that shopping has any usefulness any longer since the govt took duty free away too, but i actually find if i know the gate well in advance (DUB), then i can take my time perusing and shopping for things i dont need and know exactly when i need to set out for the gate by--as opposed to LHR where my mind is pre-occupied with gate info and making it to B or C and is the escalator working, or will it be A10 as usual etc etc. the last thing on my mind at LHR is shopping, specifically because of this game they insist on.