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)

BhS Bridal Range

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

...The title of this piece should read like a joke - as that is what their range of bridal wear is. BhS stopped their bridal wear range some time ago following multiple scandals of dresses not turning up on time, sizes being permanently out of stock etc.... After a short breathing space they have relaunched the bridal range but this time it appears to be more "off-the-peg". I don't know who they have lined up as designers but the words "what designers" spring to mind. The dresses are amongst the most uninspired I have ever seen (and belive me I have seen a lot!). I gave them the benefit of the doubt and tried a couple on. Now granted, I may not be "miss perfect figure 2001" but I am a pretty normal size 12 but I am not certain what creature the dresses were modeled on for it certainly was not human... they were the most awful shape...

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

Childhood Memories In The Disney Store

Advantages: Special products, great for children, good quality and nice staff
Disadvantages: A lot of impulse buying

...The Disney Store is a shop that sells Disney merchandise. There are Disney Stores across the UK and indeed across the world. There are Disney Stores in Disney World and Disney Land. If you have never been in a Disney Store you will be amazed at the different types of products that are usually always in stock. Although I must say I think you either love or hate the Disney Store. My husband doesn't understand the appeal of purchasing a Disney character bear for £20 when you can buy another bear somewhere else for half the price. I think if you have been brought up to watch Disney cartoons then you have an automatic liking of Disney. Whenever I have been into the store there is a good selection with plenty of stock and the staff fill the shelves on a regular basis throughout the day. Impulse buying is very easy in this store as you...

Mickie26 16.04.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of The Disney Store

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)

SDR S26

Advantages: Size, quality, reputation, ease of use. truly pocket size
Disadvantages: none

...Having been stuck with a busted camcorder on the morning on an important family visit, I dashed to a major electrical store to source a replacement, stumbled across this camera, researched the others on display and chose the S26 for ease of use, merit for the make (I bought Lumix TZ5 and have been really pleased with it, quality, capabilities etc, great lens) and general feel for the camera. in my opinion, X70 zoom works very well, resolution excellent for an "older" user and their "junior" assistants. I think that Transfer speed is not rapid, but "so what" in a camera at this price point. Very happy to recommend for general everyday trouble free use. BUT buy it on line for £60 less than the big stores and be even more satisfied that I am Ron...

migloi2 17.05.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Panasonic SDR-S26

The Disney Store

Advantages: Great for all ages and a wide range of products
Disadvantages: Can be pricey

...I have loved going into the Disney Stores since I was young and, as I am now mid-30's (not revealing my exact age here!), just proves that the magic of the Disney store is for the whole family. There is not a Disney store where I am, they are mainly around the larger cities - near me (I live in Scotland), I think the closest shops are in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Pre-children, I always loved going to the Disney store whenever I visited Glasgow or Edinburgh and I would buy things to put aside for friends' children for Christmas and birthday presents. Now that I have a family it's nice to take them to the stores too whenever we are away. When you go into a Disney store, what first amazed me was that there was not just items on display to buy, but also a large screen which showed clips, songs and music from Disney shows. The shop...

jules.34 05.08.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of The Disney Store (Shop)

Great Value General Store

Advantages: good prices, good value , good range
Disadvantages: None that spring to mind

...There are not too many General Stores about these days but one that stands out for quality and value is undoubtedly Wilkinsons mor affectionately known as WILCO'S. Here you will find a whole range of goods from household cleaning materials to bubble bath and gardening products to pet food. In fact you can buy just about anything for the home, family or garden from here. Wilkinson's can be compared to how Woolworth's were a few years ago and shopping there is a truely pleasurable experience. I regularly purchase goods from them and have no complaints about the quality or price. They are competetive in price with other local retailers and you will always find a bargain there. Wilkinsons stores are springing up all around now, until they built their Chelmsford Store friends of mine regularly made the trek to Harlow to shop...

jonwhite 10.11.2000 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Wilkinsons Store

A good furniture store

Advantages: Good range - reasonable prices - good staff
Disadvantages: Delivery not included

...DFS is a furniture shop that sells mainly sofas and armchairs as well as some additional accompanying furniture. The majority of their range is produced in high quality fabrics and leathers and appears to be very well made. We have just purchased our new sofa from there after looking for many weeks for the right "deal". Many of the furniture shops offered some great ranges and great prices but did not match our requirements exactly. Eventually we found DFS offering the ideal sofa and at half price. What we liked about DFS was the lack of "Hard Sell" tactics. There were plenty of sales staff around but none were hassling us to see if they could help. They made themselves obvious enough for us to ask if we needed assistance. The layout of their stores is both logical and functional. Nothing is too cluttered and the suites are layed out...

romybuzzer 26.11.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of DFS Furniture Store (Shop)

BhS, not my cuppa tea

Advantages: Plenty of well located shops
Disadvantages: Bad range and quality

...I remember many Saturdays when I was young being dragged around Stockport, near Manchester, my home town between Marks and Spencers and BhS. My Mum always used to swap between the two, M and S for her quality work suits and shoes and then BhS for her weekend shorts and tops. I remember being really excited when they introduced sports names such as Adidas into the childresn range as my Mum was one of those Mums who thought only her selection of stores was good enough quality for me. However, I recently took a brief shopping trip back to BhS just for a glance around, to see what they had in and I have to admit I was troubled at what I saw. The store has gone badly downhill. I am unsure of whether this was just the shop I visited but the clothes were strewn randomly around the shop, bringing back scary memories of the C&A closing down...

oona 12.06.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of BhS (Department Stores)