Most people will of at least heard of Habitat, the furniture store opened in the 1960’s by Terence Conran. They were the first furniture chain store to sell contemporary designed items, and opened many stores across the country. Unfortunately there are not as many stores left open now, ... Read review
Advantages: Contemporary Style Disadvantages: Service not the Best
...now.
What Habitat Sell
Each Habitat is like a furniture showroom, showing some of the items they stock depending on the size the store. They normal range of display will be sofas, chairs, tables, free standing kitchen units, sideboards, shelving units, beds, wardrobes, bedside units and bathroom units. They also have a range of brightly coloured rugs hung up in the store somewhere and a lighting range. It is fair to ... ...worth examining the catalogue that Habitat publish and charge for as many items that they may sell are not necessarily displayed in store. As for finance on furniture, I not sure if they offer 0%, they definately offer a store card with high percentage rates.
Moving away from the furniture, they also sell house and kitchenware such as pots, pans, cooking implements, cutlery and many unusual kitchen items. Recently I purchased a pizza ... more
Most people will of at least heard of Habitat, the furniture store opened in the 1960’s by Terence Conran. They were the first furniture chain store to sell contemporary designed items, and opened many stores across the country. Unfortunately there are not as many stores left open now, but they can still be found in major towns and cities. Although in Hull, where I live, they closed down in the 1980’s, I think this is also true of the Liverpool store.
Surprisingly I believe the company where bought by Ikea a few years ago, so they probably use the same designers now.
What Habitat Sell
Each Habitat is like a furniture showroom, showing some of the items they stock depending on the size the store. They normal range of display will be sofas, chairs, tables, free standing kitchen units, sideboards, shelving units, beds, wardrobes, bedside units and bathroom units. They also have a range of brightly coloured rugs hung up in the store somewhere and a lighting range. It is fair to say that the design of everything is fairly contemporary, but the prices are more high street. It is worth examining the catalogue that Habitat publish and charge for as many items that they may sell are not necessarily displayed in store. As for finance on furniture, I not sure if they offer 0%, they definately offer a store card with high percentage rates.
Moving away from the furniture, they also sell house and kitchenware such as pots, pans, cooking implements, cutlery and many unusual kitchen items. Recently I purchased a pizza stone from Habitat, which has improved pizza bases immensely making the bases extremely crispy, all for £10. Their range of crockery is also normally very good, although I get the impression this changes regularly and so makes it difficult to start a collection, if the range is discontinued. The crockery can be rather expensive as opposed to Ikea, most plates probably work out at about £6-8 for an average size one.
Accompanying the bedroom furniture there is also a range of bedding, often in bright colours and modern designs, this is not necessarily cheap, but probably averages about the same prices as House of Fraser stores, slightly more than Debenhams or Alders. Soft furnishings such as large cushions are found near the bedding and the curtains and window blinds maybe somewhere around as well. They also stock ready to hang curtains and blinds that are relatively inexpensive, and normally available in metallic colours as well as more conventional colours, but they also offer a made to measure service that costs rather a lot more. Additionally they normally stock a range of towels and bath mats, which can be fairly funky.
An art section is another area of each Habitat store, mostly on display are prints, but occasionally I have seen real art on display in the Leeds store, and they have also introduced an Art club in this store where they have special evenings to display and sell artist’s work. A large range of picture frames made out of various metals and wood accompanies the art section. Although I think the frames can work out rather expensive as they are a predetermined size, and I have had specially made frames made up for less than some of Habitat’s.
Gardening is not a word that comes to mind when you think of Habitat, but they do stock a small range of garden furniture, traditionally within the summer months. This is normally quite aesthetically pleasing furniture, which is not at all like the types available in B&Q, but the prices are somewhat more. A small range of indoor plants is available as well, accompanied by a wide range of pots and vases.
Service
The layout of each store is different although items are grouped together, but what most stores do have in common is the staff, they are usually very casual in dress and attitude. The customer is never pressured and is allowed to browse at their free will. Unfortunately this can work against the company, as at times it is hard to catch the staff’s attention. Furthermore when I have purchased furniture in the past from Habitat 4 out of 5 times it is not in stock and has to be ordered, which can take a couple of weeks. This is quite inconvenient for me, as I live about 55 miles from the nearest store, and anything under £500 do not include delivery. On one occasion the dining room chairs I purchased, when I arrived home I realised that they were rusty and some of the welding had split. I was told by Habitat I would have to return them, this I find very inconvenient, because surely the goods should be fit for purpose by law, so they should come and pick them up and replace them. Maybe I didn’t protest enough, but there again a company like Habitat should promote good customer service.
Quality
On the other hand the quality of most goods I have purchased has generally been very good, and the dining room chairs that were replaced still look like new after four years of wear and tear. I believe the quality is a little higher than Ikea’s in general, but so are the prices, even though a lot of furniture is self assembly.
Summary
Overall people will shop at Habitat depending on their taste, if you have more traditional tastes in furniture you will probably hate the shop. As there is very little competition, apart from designer stores or the cheaper Ikea, in my area for the type of wares that Habitat sell, my tastes and their prices dictate that I shop there. However in other area where the competition is greater such as London, and there are stores such as Heals the story might be somewhat different. I can recommend Habitat for style, have reservations about their service, but I am relatively happy with their pricing.
Advantages: I can help you save money! Disadvantages: You may hae to wait for an offer to come around....
...some of you may know Habitat is owned by Ikano-the same company that owns Ikea. It was established in 1964 in London, and has now become an international brand with stores all over the UK and Europe, and now has franchised branches in places such as Dubai, Thailand and Turkey to name a few. It focuses on beautiful and stylish products, and on the whole, in my opinion succeeds in this. The main objection most people will have is the price. Habitat ... ...home design magazine and any Habitat products listed will be some of the cheapest there. But in comparison to high street stores, it is at the higher end of anyone’s budget.
Anyway, onto the ‘insiders part’.
Firstly, getting what you want – for less...
1: Habitat Outlets There is the obvious route – the outlet stores. There is the Wythenshawe outlet in Manchester and one on New Street in Birmingham. If you live within driving distance of either ...
charlottemt 15.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Habitat (Shop)
Advantages: city centre equivalent of IKEA but classier and more durable Disadvantages: Complaints system is dreadful, customer service is poor
...a home-improvement addict. I love Habitat as a rule. It is everything right about the world in what it sells, it is the staff and sales system that fail it. Habitat is the ultimate in snobby interior stuff! It sells everything from candles to glasses to cushions to tables and chairs. There seems to be a Habitat in almost every city and although not cheap it sells VERY nice products. Everything is very trendy and colourful. I have been shopping there ... ...I still shop in Habitat but have sworn off buying anything that I haven't hand-picked and can take out of the shop that day.
They now do a 10% student discount. I noticed that the sign says it is only in operation until the end of November so if you are a student and love home stuff as much as I do - go there, even just to get some glasses and a nice candle. Just don't expect much in the way of customer service, or maybe I was just unlucky with ...
Clare_1 20.09.2001 (02.11.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Habitat (Shop)
Advantages: Funky & stylish Disadvantages: Can be expensive
Habitat is really one of a kind - a national chain store selling contemporary home furnishings. I say national, but the stores can be few & far between, & you may have to travel a little way to find one. We used to have a branch in my hometown of Hull many years ago, but by the time I reached adulthood & was in the market for some modern home funishings, the store had gone. It's becoming increasingly evident that no-one wants anything decent in my ... ...in a BIG city, so Habitat make the contemporary more accessible for us all. Prices can be high-end, particularly the larger pieces of furniture, such as sofas. I haven't personally bought any large pieces of furniture - I go more for the funky accessories, such as picture frames, vases etc, which tend to be priced higher than other stores but are worth it for something a bit more unusual. My latest purchase was a chunky dinner set in a gorgeous deep ...
sambam000 08.06.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Habitat (Shop)
Advantages: good design; modern and stylish Disadvantages: not enough stores, a bit too expensive for everyone
Habitat stores offer a wide range of modern household items - nothing about their design is cluttered or fussy. There are both modern classics and things which are more daring. It's also a good place to get gifts for people - they even offer food items such as pasta and olive oil in presentation bottles.
Their items are well priced (in the mid range) and they have plenty of options for smaller houses. Somewhere like Heals, for instance, has furniture ... ...Habitat stores is infinitely better than somewhere like Ikea although it is more expensive.
The customer service in Habitat is good. I ordered a sofa from them and there was a delay with the delivery but they kept me up to date at all times. There was a fault with the sofa - they don't make it anymore! - and they sent an inspector out pretty sharpish to check it out. The staff are nice and helpful - particularly in the Guildford store.
They also ...
EmmaJ 12.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Habitat (Shop)
Advantages: Nice and often unusual homewares Disadvantages: Poor stock control, delivery and customer service
As a rule I like Habitat products. They are generally well designed and different from the usual furniture and homewares available from other high street shops. However their stock management, delivery and customer service is very poor. I have been trying to buy one of their rugs since October and it is constantly out of stock. I finally got a delivery date only for this to be cancelled at the last minute, again due to lack of stock. I still don't ... ...wedding list with Habitat and refuse to shop there now as they had such a bad experience. I think Habitat will have to get their act together as stores such as M&S and even Woolworths are moving into 'designer' homewares. My advice would be to go to Habitat for small items that you can take away from the shop, but avoid for larger items that have to be ordered or delivered. ...
c1223 18.02.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Habitat (Shop)
Price
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Selection & range
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Feed the birds,
Well the recipients of some of my Christmas presents this year will be able to do so. This year I have mostly bought from the r, s.p.b (royal society for the protection of birds)
I am a country girl brought up with a love of birds and animals my parents have belonged to the R, S, P, B, for as long as I can remember and so have my husband and I.
This society helps protect birds and their habitats. They have a shop in sandy beds and each year send out Christmas goods catalogues. The R.S. P. B has a web site and catalogue is shown so you can buy on line.
This catalogue contains Christmas wrapping paper some with holly, a roll of 3 metres for £4, some with penguins or garden birds on too.
Holographic wrap also £4 for 3 metres.
Some gift paper like the Garden of Eden or the bluetits at the frozen milk bottle tops ...
mumsymary 13.12.2003 (20.11.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of RSPB & RSPCA Trading
Advantages: Undercover shopping, Modern, Mix of Designer Shops and High-Street Fashion. Disadvantages: Can Get Very Crowded on Weekends, You Have to Walk a Long Way Round to Go Up or Down to Next Level, Can get Quite Hot in Shops.
shops such as:
Gap
Waterstones (books)
Waitrose (supermarket)
Habitat
Natural World
Pumpkin Patch (children clothes)
French Connection
Karen Millen
Oasis
Kew
Gamleys (toy shop)
Bear Factory (you can chose a bear to be made for you)
Of course there are many more shops in West Quay, please take a look at there website www.west-quay.co.uk
***GOOD POINTS***
Undercover shopping so you don't get wet in bad weather.
A good selection of shops.
There are more shops outside West Quay on the highstreet such as Topshop, Primark, Miss Selfridge, TK Maxx (about 5 minute walk). Plus there are two other undercover shopping centres within minutes of West Quay....(Marlands and Bargate). Marlands contains shops such as West One, Mark One and Bay Trading. Bargate contains more unusual shops and a place where you can have your ...
Advantages: price, range of goods, quality (on the whole) Disadvantages: none so far
, at these prices you can't consistently have Habitat goods at bargain basement amounts of money.
Their range of goods is extensive though, certainly in the Aberdeen shop they cover toys, childrens' clothes, audio/video, electrical goods, gardening merchandise, books, stationery, DIY goods, household electrics, kitchenware, crockery, fabrics, sweets, magazines, cards, gifts.........
I've never really bought anything else from there, with the exception of CDs, videos and some paint, so I can't really comment on the quality of the other merchandise. Certainly it's worth a visit if they do stock household goods as there's some great bargains there. The stuff I bought 2 years ago when I moved into the flat is still going strong. ...
