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I also prefer to park away from other cars. And when returning to the car, I cut across isles even if I have to go out and back. That way, I'm going among other cars at the place that I choose, not where it is predictable based on walking a straight line. If I don't like what is happening near my car (another vehicle that I cannot see in has pulled in close), I circle and come in from the passenger aside. And my head is on a swivel, watching for moving cars that could intercept my path. Crossing isles makes that really hard for someone to do. You could easily make a game out of walking across the isle with kids.

Pulling through so that you don't have to back up to get out is a great practice from a car safety perspective. Given the speed at which cars drive through parking lots, it is not always easy to pick up a potential collision before you have start to back out. Pulling straight out eliminates that problem.

Loading multiple bags into the car is done one armload at a time with a quick scan after every one. It takes a little longer but I feel the most vulnerable when I'm simply going from the cart to the trunk multiple times in a row without looking around. The slight pause and head twist between loads makes sure that I'm going going to get surprised. I also thump the lock button as I slide into the seat while pulling the door closed. Then I start the car.

Staring at someone who seems to be watching me has worked well. I continue scanning but go to a condition orange type stare. I've had some that I was concerned about walk off and stop watching me as soon as they see that I'm focused on them. I do make sure that they don't have a buddy behind me. I had two guys try that with me at a truck stop when I was filling up the RV. I'm actually more concerned about gas station lots since I've been accosted multiple times in them and never in a supermarket lot. It is really a lot harder at fuel islands to figure out what is going on around you. There are too many hiding places and several videos in the past year on this forum have pointed out bad things that can happen in those places.