February 2026 ertonline.co.uk


Pro Cook, Pugh’s Garden Centre, Ty-Nant Road, Radyr


This store opened on Thursday, 15 March, 2018, and has two entrances, one inside the garden centre and one from the exterior. I was looking to buy an air fryer. Inside the


store, which I entered from the garden centre, I located the air fryers and there were three suitable products on display – the Air Fryer Health Grill, ProCook Multi Cooker 8 in 1 and the Electric Pizza Oven Air Fryer, which were priced at £179, £149 and £199 respectively. After a couple of minutes browsing, I was


approached by Tessa, who asked if I needed any help. She started her presentation by mentioning that the store manager has the Air Fryer Health Grill and is very happy with it. She said that the product has adjustable time and temperature controls to suit your needs and explained that the adjustable controls provide flexibility. Tessa highlighted the 12 functions of the appliance and explained various features including the grill rack and she said the splatter shield could be removed for cleaning. She finished her presentation by mentioning that the product comes with a two-year guarantee.


Sales skills: 5/5


Store presentation: 5/5


Total score: 10/10


Tessa was on great form; her mention of the two-year guarantee was an attempt to close the sale. The store was well presented.


Budd Electrical, Caerphilly Road


This family-run business has been serving the community since 1966 and is located on the A469, which links Cardiff and Caerphilly with Rhymney and the Heads of the Valley Road. I was looking to buy a washing machine. Inside the store, two members of staff were serving customers from behind the counter. I was joined by Paula and explained that our


current washing machine is around nine years old and I was looking to replace it with a larger capacity than the 7kg model that we had. The first product that Paula presented to me was a 9kg model from Bosch (WAN28259GB), priced at £579. She said that this model, with a 1,400rpm spin speed, comes with a five-year parts and labour warranty.


Paula then gave me the details of delivery and installation. I gave her my postcode and she said that delivery would cost £30; to install it and takeaway the old washing machine would cost an additional £49.


Sales skills: 5/5


Store presentation: 5/5


Total score: 10/10


Paula did very well. She presented a suitable product, and her mentions of the five-year warranty, and the delivery, install and takeback were attempts to close the sale. The store was well presented.


Lakeland, Cardiff Garden Centre, St Mellons


This store opened in the summer of 2024 and is accessed by walking through the garden centre. I was looking to buy a bread maker. Inside the store, which was well presented both inside and out, I soon found a display that featured three bread makers.


After a few minutes of browsing, I was


approached by Alan, who asked if I needed any help.


Looking at the products, Alan recommended the Lakeland Bread Maker Plus, which was priced at £129.99.


Alan said that he likes this model and said that it offers three loaf size options – 500g, 750g, 1kg – and 15 easy-to-use programmes. Other features include a delayed start function, a built-in memory function and non-stock coating for easy cleaning. He explained that the 15 pre-installed settings for everything from French loaves, gluten-free bread and wholemeal, to desserts, doughs, jams and cakes. The second model Alan presented was the Lakeland Touchscreen Bread Maker, priced at £149.99.


Alan mentioned the large LED display, the 12


programmes to choose from and the three loaf options – 454g, 567g and 680g. He pointed out that both bread makers are covered by Lakeland’s three-year guarantee.


Sales skills: 4/5


Store presentation: 5/5


Total score: 9/10


Alan was able to present both products well and the mention of the three-year guarantee was an attempt to close the sale.


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