Shopfloor TAKE A TOWN


David Laurie TV & Video, Ruby Road, Southampton


David Laurie has more than 35 years’ experience in repairing televisions and he also sells a select range of new TVs.t I was looking to buy a TV for our bedroom. Inside the store, David greeted me and asked if he could help me. I explained what I was looking for and David said that he sells TVs from Mitchell & Brown, which he said was a brand of TVs available exclusively in independent stores. He asked what size TV I’d be looking to buy


38


and I said a 32in model would be ideal. David said that an ideal model to look at would be the JB-32FH1811DSMAB, and he highlighted that


Mitchell &


Sales skills: 4/5


Store presentation:


4/5


Total score: 8/10


Brown TVs come with a seven-year warranty across the range.


David’s mention of the seven-year warranty was an attempt to close the sale. The store also acts as a workshop, which was slightly messy.


David said the model he suggested was a Full HD Android TV, framed by an ultra slim, near borderless design.


David said that would arrange to install


the TV, but he could not offer to mount the TV on the wall.


Bradbeers, Bell Street, Romsey


The family heritage of the Smith Bradbeer brand dates back to 1837 and the establishment of a small drapery shop in Southampton by Mr R S Smith. According to a 1933 edition of the Southampton Echo, ‘he was a man of broad outlook who gave careful attention to detail’.t I had just moved into my new flat and was


looking for co-ordinated appliances and in-store, I was drawn to the Smeg display, which looked very impressive.


I noted that two members of staff were serving customers at the counter, so I browsed the display, which featured seven matching Smeg kettles and two-slice toasters. The products were not individually priced, but a poster mentioned that the kettle was priced at £179.95, while the rose gold


Sales skills: 0/5


Store presentation:


5/5


Total score: 5/10


I was unable to assess the sales skills at this store; the small domestic appliances were displayed very well.


model was priced at £189.95. The two-slice toaster was priced at £149.95, but four toasters – the stainless steel, black, champagne and rose gold models – were priced at £189.95. With no sign of an approach, I left the store after five minutes.


Currys, Westquay Retail Park, Southampton


This store is located on a busy retail park opposite the docks and the cruise terminal in Southampton. I was looking for a new washing machine. Inside the store, I walked up the stairs to the mezzanine level and started to browse the washing machines. There were 45 washing machines on display, ranging in price from £229 to £649. I could not see any staff in my vicinity. The cheapest washing machine on display was from the retailer’s own brand, Logik. According to the price ticket, the 7kg model (L712WM20) was D-rated, featured a 1,200-spin speed and offered a quick wash of 2kg in 15 minutes. The most expensive model was a 10.5kg washing machine from LG (F4V310SNE). The price ticket indicated that the machine was B-rated for energy, with a 1,400-spin speed, and offered a quick wash of 2kg in 14 minutes. The LG price ticket also


Sales skills: 0/5


Store presentation:


5/5


Total score: 5/10


I was unable to assess the sales skills at this store. With so many machines on display,


customers would need assistance in choosing the right model. The store was well presented.


referenced that a free five-year guarantee can be claimed on purchase of this washing machine. With no sign of any staff on the mezzanine level, I left the store.


John Lewis, Westquay Shopping Centre, Southampton


This store was first anchor tenant of the shopping centre – the other being Marks & Spencer – and the centre opened on September 28, 2000.t We were in the planning stages ahead of a kitchen refurbishment, so I was keen to look at range cookers. Inside the store, I took the escalator to the third floor. I located the range cookers and started to browse; a member of staff was serving a couple close to where I was standing. There were five range cookers on display


Sales skills: 0/5


Store presentation:


5/5


Total score: 5/10


from Rangemaster, Smeg and Stoves. After browsing the products, I settled in front of a Rangemaster model (LKD110DFF), which was priced at £2,999. The dual fuel cooker features multi-function and fan ovens, a separate glide-out grill and proving drawer. The hotplate has five gas burners and a multi-zone featuring two ceramic burners and a flatbed griddle. The price ticket indicated that the model came with free installation and disposal.


I was unable to assess the sales skills at this store; the store was well merchandised.


After more than five minutes of


browsing, and with no sign of any approach, I left the store.


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