Just before my second chemo I went for a short early morning walk in Bluewater. I arrived before the shops had all opened and had a coffee and Muffin (lovely) I wanted to have a look at the things I could not afford and to see what inspiration I could glean from the pretty things. I took a note book to record some thoughts - this post is about that experience. There is a Halal food outlet in the food hall, good to see - look for Shere Khan.
CROCS, a strange brightly coloured clog shoe with foot massage interior, I would love a pair, ideal for beach holidays, washable and jolly, I have always been a clog fan, I have a black leather pair which I wear with jeans. Fun and Funky. A small stall on the lower floor (not a shop) It made me smile.
PS Mustard is not a good colour, although there is a lot about, if you wear near face, think skin tone before you buy.
Everywhere is sale mad, with 70% off in someplaces, definately a time to shop, but in high price retailers, you are still spending too much even in the sale, not worth it really. Everything is too expensive, of course shops need to move seasonal stuff quickly, I suggest they look at what they buy and what their customers want and then buy accordingly. Sales are a testament to overstocking, poor purchase decisions, marketing and size ranges.
A shop I had not seen before is MANDOLIN, Loved it a very good range of mid price clothes with some nice styles. Skirts at £49 and Dress at £49.
In Zara which has quite a nice layout I found a super spotty top (long) and various colours and a really nice long line skinny polo neck (not a good look for the older neck)
JIGSAW had a good sale, with some great skirts for autumn/winter for the officer and some nice jackets.
NEXT had a great black dress for £52 very 50's but still too expensive, I also liked the Black and White dog tooth check skirt at £26 and Jacket at £54 (good for the business woman with oomph)
I also recommend Wolford's for tights and things If I had the right figure I would have those stretchy skirts as well.
I purchased a wicked pair of earings for £2.50 (yes under a fiver) in the ACCESSORIZE sale very long, very ethnic in brass look and turquoise tassel. Ideal for when I am bald to make the statement, I'm bald so what. Very Kick Arse.
My biggest issue is that Past Times has gone, pushed out I hear due to rising rents in Bluewater. Stupid to over price the venue I think, that will only push out the price cost to the shopper.
Always shop early, give yourself time to wizz around and get a feel note your items and return to have a better look.
PS I love Oasis for Accessorises.
MY BIG MOAN, Is the staff who are endlessly bored in their work and are rude and ignorant of their customers, no customers = no job. Having said that customers should not be rude to staff either, and patience is a virtue when you can clearly see staff are busy. Busy does not mean staff discussing last night or up coming date with Co workers. Being busy is not being rude about customers who have just been in, this does not endear me to you and I WONT SHOP IN YOUR SHOP. Some staff think that their lives are more important than the customers wishes WRONG. Customer focus and customer service should be a watch word. You should know and understand company and consumer policy be professional. Have alternatives to items to discuss understand how your products work together and for god sake smile a welcome, not pushy just friendly. Also be uptodate with competitors and fashion trends.
Don't sell faulty goods in the sale, BIN THEM.
I want to see items, set out in size order ie all 12s together etc and then colour co-ordinated. I don't want to have to wade through a thousand size 10's to find a 14. I want to see some effort to understand how items work together.
Sadly, I was bored by Bluewater this time although I can see the attraction for the many mums with children - especially on either a very hot or rainy day. Large department stores bore me riggid and are predictable.
As a by the by a very interesting article in Times2 supplement on Tuesday 15/08/2006 "The Chain Gang" Secrets of the six men who run the high street" Terry Green at Tesco, Sir Philip Green (BHS) Stephen Sunnucks (GAP) Stuart Rose (M+S) Phil Wrigley (New Look) and Mike Shearwood of Zara. Please Please lets have a female revolution and unseat these money men. I am glad to see that there is a move to inhouse design teams not before time, HOW ABOUT A MOVE BACK TO British makers as well. I also welcome the idea of short style ranges, keep it moving is what I say. There are loads of young desingers out there in the fashion and design schools. INNOVATION. NOT EVERY BODY IS A SIZE 8 OR 10 (who would want to be) Not everybody wants to be Victoria Beckham, Paris Hilton or any such celeb. We are individuals and that is a beautiful thing, lifestyle is what you make it - I don't want other peoples lifestyles I want mine.
Space in shops to move around, good changing facilities, chairs, mirrors even 360 degree ones so I can see my back, good lighting and good quality interested and knowledgable staff. FOCUS FOCUS. Just don't look down your nose at the customer and your sales will grow.
Have a nice day! Granny
