44 MYSTERY SHOPPER: BRISTOL Brizzle Kicks
Mystery Shopper’s niece is celebrating her second birthday and he needs a gift. Something educational, if possible. Budget: £30...
TOYS R US BRISLINGTON RETAIL PARK, BATH ROAD
I ENTER through the exit door and I’m kindly redirected to the proper entrance (great start). I emerge from the carefully
curated maze of lower priced toys, partyware and sweets and pass demo units for LeapPad and InnoTab, spotting a Babies R Us banner at the other end of the floor. Pre-school is one of the largest categories in the business and Babies R Us has it covered – not only is there a wide range of toys, there are parenting products and a range of facilities too. I find a young shop assistant and explain what I’m looking for. With a smile, she starts by showing me the Babies R Us pre-school section, before asking what my niece’s favourite characters are. She responds to a preference for Peppa
MARCH 2012
Pig and leads me over to the licensed section.
I indicate that I would prefer something a little more educational. “Have you seen the VTech and
LeapFrog toys at the entrance?” I ask if I could see them and my bubbly friend marches me over to the other end of the store. I was at first sceptical, but the
short demos of the plush Scout and Violet, My Own Leaptop and Alphabet Pal were engaging and the suggestions were all age appropriate and within budget. Verdict: Boasts a diverse, competitively priced range and excellent facilities for parents with young kids. Friendly and educated help, if a little hard to find.
JACK AND JILL TOYSHOP
I MAKE my way to Wells Road on foot and notice a shop-person diligently cleaning the windows. As I get closer I’m greeted by a pair of life-sized Playmobil Pirates who bring a bit of cheer – this feels like a friendly toy shop. I don’t have to wait long for assistance here as the aforementioned female shop keeper springs into action and is happy to show me around. But we don’t get off to a great
4/5
start. The initial offerings are not age appropriate and some even contain choking hazards – but to her great credit she recognises this and retracts the suggestions. She soon realises we’re in the wrong part of the shop and takes me over to the pre-school area, where there is an array of wooden wares from
192 WELLS ROAD
the likes of Bigjigs, Brio and Melissa and Doug. Almost all of the toys have examples out on shelf, with boxed product behind for customers. This time she enquires: “What
sort of girl is she – does she like girls and boys things, or is she more girly?” I indicate the latter and remind her of a preference for something educational. We take a look at role-play toys with my helper highlighting a wooden cake stand from Bigjigs and a tin tea set from Tobar, which she willingly opens for me. Verdict: Decent prices and enthusiastic help. A cheerful shop servicing the quality end of the toy market.
3.5/5
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