Unless I've missed something, there isn't a 'direct' route to get to the departure gates without being subjected to the 'in your face' shopping mall experience. There should be. This applies to many other airports but MAN appeared worse in this respect than many others.
There is. Kind of.
The quickest way through by far is to walk past the Ritazza Coffee place on your right and aim for the far right hand corner of the perfume/booze experience. Then keep as hard right as you can at every opportunity and you will be out in a few seconds.....in to the other shops of course but at least that's more pleasant.