December 2022 ertonline.co.uk


JOINT WINNING INDEPENDENT


Vale Kitchen Studio, Ludlow Street, Penarth


This business is a member of CIH and is run by the former owner of Radiocraft, a consumer electronics and domestic appliances retailer on Cowbridge Road East, which closed its doors in March 2020. I was looking to have a kitchen refresh and was looking for two new ovens. Once I had found a parking space on Penarth’s busy street, I entered the store and was greeted by James. I explained that I had side-by-side ovens integrated and I wanted to replace them with better specified products than I currently had and I told James the brand of oven that I was replacing. James got straight to work recommending two products. The first was a Neff Slide & Hide model (B3ACE4HN0B), priced at £799. James demonstrated the Slide & Hide feature, but said that due to supply issues, there would be a four- week delay.


He then presented a Bosch model (HBS573BS0B), priced at £606. He said that this model comes with a five-year warranty, features pyrolytic cleaning and was available “straightaway”.


WINNING MULTIPLE


Richer Sounds, Cowbridge Road East


This store – the seventh Richer Sounds store to open in the UK – has been a feature on this busy shopping street for 35 years; it opened in September 1987.. Inside the store, I was greeted by Michael, who asked if I needed any help. I said that my TV was currently about five years old, but that I was looking to replace it with a bigger TV.


He showed me a 55in TV and I said that would be an ideal size.


Michael recommended that I look at Samsung’s Neo QLED TV (QE55QN95A), which was priced at £999. Michael


said that Samsung’s Quantum Mini


LED delivers smaller, greater, finer lights. Together with ultra-thin micro layers, light can be precisely controlled, and brightness, contrast and sharpness can be maintained at their optimum, he said. He led me to a 65-inch version of the TV, which was in demonstration mode. He added that I could consider buying a soundbar with the TV. He recommended a Polk Audio soundbar (Signa 2), which was priced at £219.


Kitchen Economy, Broadway


This family-run business, located in the Roath area of Cardiff, was established in 1978 and is also a member of CIH. With my kitchen refurbishment project running


at full steam, I was in a position to look for a range cooker. Inside the store, I was greeted by Dee, who asked if I needed any help.


She immediately got to work by asking what size


of range cooker would fit in my kitchen. I said the ideal size would be a 110cm wide model, with an induction hob. Unfortunately, the store did not have a 110cm model on the shopfloor, so Dee led me to a computer, and she searched for range cookers on the store’s website.


She showed me a 110cm wide model from Rangemaster (PROP110EISS/C), which was priced at £2,989. Dee said that this model has two electric fan ovens, separate grill, slow cook drawer and a five- zone induction hob.


On top of the retail price, Dee said that I need to pay for recycling, delivery and fitting, which would cost £15, £20 and £80 respectively.


41


Sales skills: 5/5


Store presentation: 5/5


Total score: 10/10


James was able to present both products well and closed the sale with the mentions of the warranty and the fact the products were ready to go. The store was small but very stylish.


Sales skills: 5/5


Store presentation: 5/5


Total score: 10/10


Michael did a great job on my visit, and the mention of a soundbar was a great attempt to add to the sale. Points for that. And the store was well presented.


Sales skills: 5/5


Store presentation: 5/5


Total score: 9/10


Dee used the website as a selling tool, which was good, but unfortunately she did not attempt to close the sale. However, the store looked very well presented.


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