Britain?s most average department store

Advantages: Location, lots of selection
Disadvantages: The interior

...What is it? Debenhams advertises itself as Britain?s favourite department store. I would describe it as Britain?s most average department store. I am speaking from my experiences at the Swindon store; the other ones I visit tend to be slightly better. Debenhams has it?s own range of products and high street concessions in it. There are 104 stores. The Store Location: This is probably the best thing about it. It has a town centre location, which happens to be right by my bus stop, which is great when I have a 30-minute wait for the next bus. It is a 1960?s style building that has seen better days. A lot of town centre stores seem to be like this but the newer stores in out of town malls are much nicer. I remember going in when I was a little girl and back then I was kind of quaint. Now it just seems old-fashioned. When it first...

Katieshaz 25.06.2004 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Debenhams (Department Stores)

The mother of all Department stores?

Advantages: Its a real experience
Disadvantages: Expensive, but it doesnt claim to be anything else!

.... Anyway, before you start rating me 'Off Topic' I'd better get onto the store! SELFRIDGES - AN OVERVIEW Selfridges is probably now the premier dept store in London. The 80's was the decade for Harrods, in the 90's, the award went to Harvey Nicks and now Selfridges is the place to be seen. If you are that kind of person, that is. In recent years it has opened 3 new branches, 2 in Manchester (Trafford Centre and City Centre - Exchange Square) and Brimingham Bull Ring(which I have been too and will mention later). Im not the kind of person who would usually shop at Selfridges, but due to my winnings I have grown to know the London store very well. It may be some people's idea of hell but you have to take it at face value. Its designed for people who LOVE shopping and have LOTS OF MONEY (in London, there are a lot of these people!) So...

Dan_ep 12.06.2006 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Selfridges (Department Stores)

BhS Bridal Range

Advantages: availability has improved
Disadvantages: for the money you can get better elsewhere

...ever. What makes the whole thing even worse is that they are not being sold for an "off-the-peg" price. If you want an off-the-peg dress I would suggest looking at some of the evening wear shops or try to shop around sale periods where department stores sell off thier samples - BHS is just not worth it, you will not get trained staff assisting you and the changing rooms are far too small to try on your dress comfortably. If you are spending a couple of hundred on a dress which you are only going to wear for a few hours you might as well get as much assistance and advice as possible. It's not all bad though... worth a look is their collection of headresses. Again not overly inspired but there are a couple of pretty pieces. Their bridesmaids dresses are better too provided your bridesmaid is under about 8yrs - any older and they...

CareBear 13.02.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of BhS (Department Stores)

Debenhams - a department store with something for everyone!

Advantages: A wide choice of items, good sales with up to 70% off, friendly staff
Disadvantages: Can be expensive at full price - wait for the sales! No free parking.

...My review of Debenhams is based on the Barrow-in-Furness store, but the basics should apply to any branch - they can be found in most big towns and cities, including Manchester. The Barrow store is the biggest shop in town; a huge department store covering 2 big floors, with a car park on the roof so you don't have to carry your shopping too far! Unfortunately they do charge you to park there, which I personally think is a bit of a cheek when you're shopping in their store, but ho hum! As for what the store sells - it has everything from womenswear, childrenswear, menswear, cosmetics, accessories, sportswear, lingerie, home items, gifts, wedding list...the list goes on! It really is a one-stop shop for all the family. In Barrow, Debenhams has also brought Warehouse, Faith and Jane Norman clothes and shoes to the town in the form...

anna6735 01.03.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Debenhams (Department Stores)

Just M and S ..

Advantages: see review
Disadvantages: see review

...Marks and Spencer has recently started to sell food made by other manufacturers such as marmite and cif! I'm not sure where this idea came from but I find it odd! If I want to buy marmite and Cif I will go to a cheaper supermarket. I like to buy unique Marks and Spencer food from their food hall. Marks and Spencer has a well-deserved reputation for excellent customer service. I really like the fact that you have 90 days to return any unwanted item of clothing should you change your mind. You can also order on line and return any unwanted item to your local store. The changing rooms are well managed and staff have always been happy to fetch alternative sizes or colours when I am trying on clothes. Overall I highly recommend Marks and Spencer!...

anwar 18.07.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Marks & Spencer Department Store

One of the UK's best department stores

Advantages: Huge range of stock, cheap prices
Disadvantages: High interest rate on store card

...a fair hearing but failed to land a job as I had the wrong experience. In 1996 I simply walked into the Personnel Department and gave them my CV. I was granted an interview for a job in the Christmas card department. But the interviewer wrong footed me and I did not get the job. The sales staff are nicely dressed in dark green outfits. The perks are great. After 25 years services you are given 6 months off. A friend of mine developed heart problems 6 months after leaving John Lewis and the company paid all her medical bills. The John Lewis store in Croydon is worth a visit. John Lewis also owns the upmarket food store Waitrose and the department store Peter Jones in Sloane Square. The handsome Stuart Hampson is the chief executive of John Lewis and he can be proud of his staff and excellent store....

mrpaella 16.02.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of John Lewis (Department Stores)

oxfam could be more trendy than this store

Advantages: Household section
Disadvantages: very untrendy and quite pricey

...Having previously worked at BHS i feel that i qualify easily to write an opinion about them. Working for them is a nightmare (but that's a different story) and shopping there can prove to be quite scary aswell! The fashion ranges for men and women are very dated and are seriously lacking in street-cred. Over 65's and people people who like looking very casual LOVE it in here. If you are under 30 then you will probably find that there is nothing at this store for you. The clothes are usually expensive and lack in quality big-time (the amount of faulty items returned is almost impressive), unless there is a big sale on, which happens quite often, then you will pay through the nose. Kids clothes are very popular and usually are of good quality, again they are over priced but they do sell everything a kid needs for wearing. They also...

java 24.03.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of BhS (Department Stores)

S&M Metallica

Advantages: some interesting Metallica mixed with some interesting Symphony
Disadvantages: few crap songs but nevertheless...

...Metallica:S&M As a fan of Metallica(thanks to my uncle) i got all of the albums and i intend to review on them all in time, but for now i'll focus on this one. Genre: Hard rock & Metal includes the San fransisco symphony orchestra Release 1999 by mercury records ltd 2 Discs Band Members Current James Hetfield ? lead vocals, rhythm guitar Kirk Hammett ? lead guitar, backing vocals Robert Trujillo ? bass guitar, backing vocals Lars Ulrich ? drums, percussion Former Ron McGovney ? bass guitar, backing vocals (1981?1982) Dave Mustaine ? lead guitar, backing vocals (1981?1983) Cliff Burton ? bass guitar, backing vocals (1982?1986)(R.I.P. 1962-1986) Jason Newsted ? bass guitar, backing vocals (1986?2001) This Album features songs from Metallica...

rockchick2k7 28.06.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of S&M - Metallica

If only every store could be like them

Advantages: Customer service, extensive range of goods, helpful staff
Disadvantages: Not enough of thier stores around the country

...When it comes to department stores this one stands 'head & shoulders' above many others. They don't have many stores around the country so I'm lucky that they have a four storey department store about 10 miles from where I live. What makes them better than most other department stores? Its simple, their customer service, before & after the sale. They are not cheap; although their motto is 'never knowingly undersold' they only sell premium brands. No cheapo electrical goods made in some far eastern 'sweat shop' here, only the big names like Sony, Panasonic, JVC etc. However they will try & compete with any local competition selling exactly the same brands & when it comes to electrical goods they can normally match another quote with an 'ace card' up their sleeve. They sometimes offer an extra year warranty on certain electrical goods...

ScottishWestie 04.12.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of John Lewis (Department Stores)

Harrods, The World Famous Store.

Advantages: Beautiful Store, An experience in itself
Disadvantages: Very Expensive and Do not go at sale/time unless you want to save lots of money.

...Harrods is the worlds premier Department Store. If you are rich and need to do your shopping and live in england then I can guarantee that you will shop at Harrods. Harrods started off as a family business in 1849 as a simple food store (It still incorporates this today)but soon became a much bigger store and branched out into a department store in 1902 with 80 departments and over 2000 staff. It grew even more and became the biggest and best departmental store in the world. In 1959 however it became subject to a takeover by scottish group House Of Fraser which was then inturn bought out by Mohamed Alfayed in 1986. In 1994 Alfayed floated The 54 House of Fraser Stores and Kept Harrods once again as a family run business. Harrods has always been known well for it's sales and its motto that it can supply anything that is demanded...

atlantis140 10.10.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Harrods (Department Stores)