Peacocks (Shop)

...merchandise in abundance!
Peacocks have had a good kick up the backside, and their stores have definaly had a face-lift. They are bright, well-lit and clean looking.

WHO ARE PEACOCKS?

They started out in Warrington in 1884 and expanded, expanded and expanded again until they reached a grand old figure of 460 stores with more planned in the future, as well as taking over the UK they also have 61 stores in other ...
...employ over 5000 people.
Peacocks are a sister company of Bon Marche (although the two stores are completely unalike) and they are owned by the 'Peacock Group'
After their revamp from bland and boring to must-have clothing they won the awards; Drapers Value Footwear Retailer of the year 2006 and Drapers Best Value Retailer of the Year 2005. They also got the award for being the retailer 'to watch' from Comfort Prima High Street Fashion ... more

A few years ago, a new store opened in town- Peacocks. Aside from the essentials like underwear, pjammas etc which were quite good- the shop left alot to be desired and was decidedly boring!
The men's section was practically non-existent and the kidswear was not the greatest quality either.
So from this you'd expect bargains and prices like Primark- but I was surprised to read the labels and discover that this store wasn't rivalling Primark- in fact they weren't rivalling anyone as their stock was slightly over-priced and not very good anyway!

Fast forward several years later and something seems to have happened! A new trendy purple and yellow logo is above the doors- and a shop filled with fantastically affordable latest fashions, and good quality merchandise in abundance!
Peacocks have had a good kick up the backside, and their stores have definaly had a face-lift. They are bright, well-lit and clean looking.

WHO ARE PEACOCKS?

They started out in Warrington in 1884 and expanded, expanded and expanded again until they reached a grand old figure of 460 stores with more planned in the future, as well as taking over the UK they also have 61 stores in other places of the world too.
In the UK alone they employ over 5000 people.
Peacocks are a sister company of Bon Marche (although the two stores are completely unalike) and they are owned by the 'Peacock Group'
After their revamp from bland and boring to must-have clothing they won the awards; Drapers Value Footwear Retailer of the year 2006 and Drapers Best Value Retailer of the Year 2005. They also got the award for being the retailer 'to watch' from Comfort Prima High Street Fashion Awards.

Another fact which is a real incentive to shop at Peacocks is that they are keen supporters of the charity; Cancer Research UK. They plan fundraising events and support the charity- Because of this they won an award for their support to a charity; 'Business Supporter of the Year'
The Peacocks site states they will continue the partnership upto 2008- and after it may continue but will be reviewed in March of that year.

THE STORES

I have a good knowledge of the large Peacocks store and the smaller one's as I have visited an equal amount of each. There is one small store I visit regular and one large one which I love to visit whenever I can although its quite a drive out so it isn't as regular as i'd like!

The smaller stores are quite hard to navigate around- usually because they cram so much stock into such a small space.
Its a hard situation to judge though- because if they didn't have so much stock, customers would probably complain that there isn't enough choice and sizes of stock available- then on the other hand customers are complaining there is too much racks and stock to be able to shop in the store easily- Peacocks can't seem to find the happy medium.
In my personal opinion I don't mind the no-space situation as it means I have lots of items to choose from- however if I had a child in a pushchair, or used a wheelchair- then I would probably join the complainers!
The large stores are alot more spaced out- but in certain sections the threat of being over-crowded with stock does creep in.

The sections of stock are split up into sections which are easy to identify with over-head banners. Some of the larger stores are on two floors but the sections remain the same wherever you visit- Womenswear, Nightwear, Underwear, Footwear, Menswear, accesories and Childrens.
More often the womenswear seems to be the main department- not only in the amount of stock but in the space allocation too, Next up is the menswear and lastly the childrens, which although is a decent size and range its also the smallest.
The accessories and shoes are usually featured in each department and the Nightwear seems to be filtered towards the back of the store along with the underwear.
Jewellery is most commonly found on a free-standing spinning display near the till-point.

The racks are usually in ranges, ie- party wear, lounge wear, coats etc etc. In the windows are mannequins with the stores latest clothes- have a look at these before you go in the store as its a good idea to look and get some inspiration to put an outfit together.
On some of the racks the store has shoes on top, which go with the clothes and sometimes bags and other accessories are incorporated in too- good for Peacocks who are tempting the customer to spend more on matching items but not good for my purse which seriously empties whenever i'm in there.

Where possible the clothing is usually sorted into sizes from the smallest to the largest- but I find the footwear isn't in any particullar order and you have to resort to checking them at random in the hope to find the size your after.

All stores have a fitting room- some of the small one's only have one, and even the large one's don't have many more than two.
They are usually ok in size- enough room to try the clothes on- plus a mirror and a couple of hooks for the clothes to hang. I haven't been to a store which monitors the changing room, usually I approach a salesperson and they point over to where they are- but never escort you to them or ask how many items you are taking in.

WOMENS

Peacocks capture the latest fashions and stock them at much more reasonable prices than some of the other stores, like New Look, Topshop etc etc
Clothes I have had have always washed nicely, and people have often commented to say that they look much more expensive than what they were- especially the evening-wear. I bought a dress and wore it out for a meal recently and my friend thought I had bought it from one of the designer concessions in Debenhams! Until I had shown her the label inside, she wouldn't believe it was a bargain at 18pounds from Peacocks.

I have also seen designers on shows like This Morning, showcase an item from Peacocks- which must do wonders for their sales! Also most magazines now mention them on the fashion pages.

The clothing starts at size 6 (which seems to be only available in selected stores) to a size 20 (only available in certain styles) The most common sizes are a size 10 to an 18. This will be a downsize for so many people that they don't go any bigger- I'm sure a larger selection would be profitable but as yet they haven't done one, they also don't do a petite or tall range like some other companies.

The shoes start at a 3 and go to an 8- they stock casual footwear like trainers and pumps, a formal selection and then party shoes. The shoes tend to be priced at anything from 8pounds to 20pounds- I have yet to find a pair more expensive than this!

The underwear is the same size as the clothing but can be found in a size 22/24 and the Bra's go upto a 40D.

The nightwear section has everything from night-dressers, robes and slippers. The Cami's are especially good as they are only priced from 3pounds.

The Jewellery is costume, so not real gold or silver and there's usually a good selection. Occasionally there are watches too.

I would say this section is exclusive to young women upto about 40years- I think the clothing is aimed at fashion followers which may alienate people which aren't as interested.

MENS

The menswear section is no where near as big as the womens- but they have a good selection of everything a man would need to put together an outfit- even formal suits, shirts and ties, Sometimes the stores even have branded clothing in the mens section.

The clothing goes upto a size XXXL but when I've spoken to male friends and family, they've all said the sizes are on the small side and an XXXL- is no bigger than an XXL somewhere else.

Footwear is either casual or smart- the shoes are quite nice and are the same as other mens stores such as Burtons- but they are much more reasonably priced. The casual shoes such as trainers are ok- but so many men now won't wear any trainers that aren't branded- so I can't see most men being interested in a pair from Peacocks- I know my partner wouldn't.

The underwear is the same size as the clothing- the packs of boxer shorts or socks are great value, as you can get 4 or 5 pairs for the same price as you'd pay for one in other retailers.

Around Christmas time I've noticed they have more mens accessories, such as cuff-links, gloves and hats etc.

KIDS

The Kids section is the smallest in the store- I don't have children so have never really ventured into this area- but I have noticed the girlswear looks very much like the womenswear! It is very fashionable but with the colours they use like pinks they still look like a young girls clothes.

The boyswear is trendy and looks durable to a boys nature ie- scrawling around the floor on their hands and knees! The Jeans are fairly priced from 4pounds and the jumpers and t-shirts start at 3pounds.

I got my god-son an outfit from the baby section and his Mum said it was very nice and washed well. A nice bonus was that it was Disney Winnie the Pooh too, which made the outfit appear much more expensive. I have also picked up some novelty bibs too- with slogans on them such as 'I love my Mummy' Its good to know you can pick up other things other than just clothing.

TILLPOINT

The queue's are usually handled well, when there are more than 3 or 4 customers, another till is opened.

Gift Vouchers are available in the amounts 1pound, 5pounds and 10pounds. When you purchase these you get a free wallet and envelope to put them in and then when the reciever is given them as their gift they can then redeem them in any Peacocks Store. I don't think there is an expiry date on them- but it might be worth asking.

When you need to return an item its quite straight-forward. If you have the reciept a full refund is offered- without it though, the store will happily offer an exchange or gift vouchers for the amount you are returning. I have returned things often and have never had a problem- its always been quite straight-forward and hassle-free. I have also always took things back within a couple of weeks, I think you'd have to return an item within 28days though- but it is worth asking to confirm this if you are planning on taking something back.

I don't know if the staff don't have much training or whether they are informed that their priority is the stock- but they very rarely look up from the till or job they are doing to offer a smile or enquire if you need help. At the till they seem to be in a hurry to serve and move you on, rather than acknowledge you with a smile or a quick hello, saying this though I have never known a member of their staff be rude- and if you do approach them they will usually help.

PEACOCKS.CO.UK

I got an email a few days ago saying they had started an online site- which you can purchase things from. Straight away I headed over- as I would much rather shop online in the comfort and warmth of home!
The site is very easy to navigate around- with the different categories down the left hand side of the page. The downside is that the only section available to order from is Womenswear. (I'll check regular and update if the other sections become available to order from)
As well as all the womenswear, footwear, underwear etc online Maternity wear is available- which as yet I haven't seen in any stores.

Also on the site is a section for the best-sellers and another for the latest arrivals. The only bad point is that there is hardly any lingerie available to order from.

Once you find an item you like- select it by clicking on it, then hover over with the mouse to see a large image. As well as the picture theres also a write-up of each item, telling you of the material and whether its machine washable or dry-clean only. Once you decide that is what you want- select the quantity, size and if applicable the colour then add to the basket.

In order to purchase things you need to be a member of the site. It takes a couple of minutes to register- with your name and address. Once you are registered and ready to checkout- it then will take your card details.

There are two forms of delivery. One is the fast-track option where if you order before 12pm one day, it will come the next, this is 4.95. The other is the standard delivery where they aim to deliver within 3-5 working days and this is 3.95.

Once the order has been submitted they send you a confirmation email containing the order number and delivery information.

I paid for the coat and ordered at 4pm on a Wednesday. I paid for fast-track delivery but because it was after 12pm, it didn't come while Friday. It came with a parcel service, but I wasn't in- so they left it with a neighbour. This is not usually a problem- but rather than leaving it with the next door neighbour- they left it with someone down the street- who I didn't even know! Luckily it went without a hitch and they bought it to me- but I will make double sure i'm in for the future.

To return an item it can go back through the post office- at whatever the PO's standard rate is or free of charge at a Peacocks store.

OVERALL

For fashion on a budget it really is a great shop- I love a store where it is possible to get a full outfit under one roof and I think you can do this easily in Peacocks. The website is also good to know about, as sometimes its not convienient to visit the store- and its also not always possible to get the size you want. All in all- its worth taking a look if you happen to live near a Peacocks. 

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