I have no real problem with the meandering path through the shops at STN. As has been said, this is now the norm in the majority of airports these days. What irks me, the the lack of available seating once you get to the central concourse - a few less shops and more seating would almost make STN bearable. But then we come to the toilets, or rather lack of them at STN!
As an aside, I arrived at Gatwick (South) on Saturday. Flight touched down at 18:20. I exited the car park at 19:10, having collected hold luggage (mine was one of the last cases off the carousel, or the time would have been earlier). I have never got close to a 50 minute transit at STN. Normally closer to 90 minutes.