September 2023 ertonline.co.uk


Harrap, Shirley Road, Shirley, Southampton


This store is situated on the A3057, which is a busy route linking Southampton city centre and Romsey. For my ‘man cave’ I was looking to buy an undercounter fridge, which would be used as a beer fridge. Inside the store, I was greeted by two members of staff, who were standing behind the counter. I explained what I was looking for a one of the men presented two suitable models. Dave first presented the first product from Candy (CCTL582WKN), which was priced at £229.99. He said the fridge features adjustable shelves, door balconies and a salad crisper. The second product was a Liebherr product (T1810), which was priced at £408.99 on the price ticket, but, having checked the product on the company’s website, the price was reduced to £379.99.


Dave said the Liebherr features LED lighting, an egg tray, safety glass shelves, slimline handle and a reversible door. The man said that more information about


the products is available on the retailer’s website and the company offers free delivery.


Sales skills: 5/5


Store presentation: 4/5


Total score: 9/10


Dave did a good job and explained the features of both products well. The store was slightly untidy, and a sign on the door reiterated that the store was actually open for business.


Richer Sounds, London Road, Southampton


Nespresso,


Westquay Shopping Centre, Southampton


A Nespresso pop-up store first opened in the Westquay Shopping Centre in September 2017; almost six years on and this is now located on level three of the centre. I was interested in buying a coffee machine. Jada approached me and asked me if I needed any help. I told her that I had seen the current Nespresso TV advertising featuring George Clooney and wanted to know more – about the coffee machines, not the Hollywood actor! Jada said that the pop-up was running a summer sales promotion on the Vertuo Pop coffee machine, with the price reduced by £30 to £69. She also pointed out that purchasers of the Vertuo Pop would receive 50 free pre- selected capsules and a unique code for £45 off coffee.


Jada said that the unique code could


be used to order coffee capsules from the Nespresso website, and she mentioned that the capsules are recyclable.


Sales skills: 4/5


Store presentation: 5/5


Total score: 9/10


Jada did a good job and she attempted to close the sale using the promotion, but she did not offer a demonstration. The pop-up looked very good.


This store is located to the north of Southampton city centre. I was looking to buy a sound solution for my recently purchased TV. Inside the store, deputy manager approached me. I explained what I was looking for and he said there were two possible solutions, sound bars or a system with a separate amp and speakers. I said a sound bar would be ideal.t Marc led me to a display that featured two sound bars. The first sound bar was from Denon (DHT-S416) and was priced at £249. He said that for enhanced audio quality, the sound bar features Pure Audio Mode. Bypassing all the processing, Pure Audio Mode gives the purest, most direct sound. Marc added that distortion and background noise is reduced, meaning I’d hear more detail and subtlety in the music.


The second sound bar was from Polk Audio (Signa S4) and was priced at £279. Marc said that with its own, dedicated speaker, dialogue sounds crisp and clear. The central speaker position also helps sync the sound with the image, he added. Marc advised me to use an optical cable, as that would give the best connection and he pointed to the subwoofers for both soundbars.


Sales skills: 4/5


Store presentation: 5/5


Total score: 9/10


Marc did a great job in selecting two suitable sound bars, but he didn’t offer a demonstration, which was disappointing. The store was well merchandised.


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