This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
42 MYSTERY SHOPPER Nottingham Mystery Shopper is buying a creative toy for a boy aged ten...


MODELZONE


MY FIRST stop in Nottingham is Modelzone. The front end of the store seems devoted to crowd pulling non-model items: there are action figures and display units for both AppToyz and My Keepon. I notice the range is extensive and as far as I can tell, most bases are covered for models, R/C, die- cast, train sets and the like. I approach the counter to explain that I am searching for a gift for a ten year-old for around £30. Noticing the store’s extensive R/C collection, I indicate that he may be interested in one of those, as well as some model building. The first suggestion is a Tamiya kit – R/C kit cars which require building. It seems like the perfect suggestion, however it is way out of budget at £180. Still, I’m


APRIL 2012


BROADMARSH CENTRE


impressed by the spirited, albeit brief, demonstration. “How about a model?” I suggest. “What is he into? Cars? Motorbikes? Trains…?” I indicate a preference for cars and am taken to the section which is home to a more modest selection of kits, which look like they would be appropriate for a beginner. My guide recommends me some smaller models from Revell and Airfix, and explains that the recipient of my gift would need some glue to get started, and is keen to show me the more intermediate models in a nifty upsell attempt. Verdict: A neat shop with good, considered customer service.


4/5


FORBIDDEN PLANET


FORBIDDEN PLANET is one of the only chains in the UK dedicated to the geekier side of licensed merchandise. The walls are decked with product associated with comic book franchises, computer games and cult movie licences. The store layout is imaginative


and there are surprises in every area. This is the kind of shop where you want to look everywhere, just in case you might miss something. The floor is broadly divided into


toys and merchandise, and comic books. As far as toys go, action figures and plush are a focus, and are dotted throughout the store and licences like Doctor Who and Marvel have vast shelf space dedicated to them. As a more specialist store, Forbidden Planet holds more


19/23 FRIAR LANE


complete ranges of toys. For example, the more obscure characters in Underground Toys’ talking Star Wars plush line, like Princess Leia and Boba Fett, are available here. I approach a young lady who is busy marking up product and ask: “What’s popular with kids aged ten these days?”


She tells me that Doctor Who is always a winner and says that The Avengers could also be a good choice, as the blockbuster film is out soon. She motions to the relevant areas of the shop and asks me to yell if I need any further assistance. Verdict: Service with a smile and an eclectic offering of hard-to-find toys.


3.5/5


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92