Department Stores

Designer names without too much effort

Advantages: Location, Product Range, Sale Times!!
Disadvantages: A Little Pricey, Refurbishment

...I take a venture to Rackhams to stock up on make-up, shoes and clothes ect... And I have to say I do enjoy my experience there, I personnaly think they have a good product range and also for those like me who loathe walking around as they have a personal shopper who can help you with all your little bits and bobs, these have to be booked in advance but are worth the wait as you can sit compfortably as someone does that all for you, and brings you ...

zazzyzoe 22.08.2003 · Read Full Review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Rackhams (Shop)

Luxury shopping

Advantages: Great store for all your needs
Disadvantages: Prices are high

...is that there is a Selfridges Department store here. The Building ------------------ The Selfridges store building was the hot topic for discussion in the west midlands. There was a lot of controversy over the design of the building as the old church is right next to it. So you have this huge metal, modern bubbly building and then an old frail church right next to it. The design of the building has been fantastically designed. It's a piece of ...
...Opening hours --------------------- Selfridges and the Bullring have just changed their opening hours: From Monday to Friday you can shop till you drop from 10am till 8pm. On Saturdays they are open from 9am till 8pm and Sunday opening hours are from 10.30 till 5pm, but you cannot buy anything until 11am due to Sunday trading hours. Access ----------- I was really impressed with the access points for the disabled and for people in wheelchairs. ...

redballoon 09.06.2004 · Read Full Review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Selfridges

Bridal Service

Advantages: None
Disadvantages: Cant order on line

...I have used bridal services before, Beatties, M&S, John Lewis and even argos, all have provided and excellent service and I have never heard that there was a problem with any. Rackhams has a good reputation it is a shame that their bridal service does not match this! ...

khodgetts 31.10.2002 · Read Full Review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Rackhams (Shop)

A maze of twisty little passages all alike

Advantages: Enormous range, interesting obscure foods, the sixth floor
Disadvantages: A little expensive, confusing layout, slightly snobbish air

Rackhams is Birmingham's only real department store, and as such has something of a captive audience. But Beatties move in in September, and not long after that the strange Selfridges building will begin to rise from the bombsite that is the Bull Ring. So, can Brum's most famous shop live with the competition? The first thing that hits you about Rackhams is its size. As you approach the large block, you wonder how many shops are in it. Answer: one. ...
...comes up in the press, Rackhams say they'll compete first and foremost on customer service. Well, certainly their staff are more knowledgeable than most - it's refreshing to get told "third floor, about 1/3 of the way along on the left" and find it's actually right - but there are one or two niggles, the most important of those being the slight air of superiority. Nothing is ever made explicit, but us ordinary folks (guv) tend to get the feeling ...

davidbuttery 13.07.2001 · Read Full Review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Rackhams (Shop)

Nice but Merry Hill is better

Advantages: Good layout, choice.
Disadvantages: Expensive, claustrophobic, sickening aromas, monopolistic

...centre a few days ago. Rackhams is situated at the top end of Corporation Street & Bull Street. It cannot be missed since it's a 7 storey block with flags draped around the sides. Like all departments stores, the ground floor is for the ladies: cosmetics, personal hygiene etc. You only have to stray towards one of the fragrancy islands and some sales assistant will come at you with a perfume bottle ready to spray you without hesitation. This floor ...
...limited & tasteless. Overall, Rackhams seems to cater for the middle market & above. All the usual designer names are there, and the sales people tend to look down at visitors who don't quite measure up in the "fat purse, loads of cards" department. However, they do offer a good & interesting selection, but I think being the only department store in town reflects badly on the city, because to be honest even without Rackhams the number of shops ...

dreamstar70 05.01.2001 · Read Full Review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Rackhams (Shop)