Full marks again! (John Lewis)

Member Name: kayelletee

Product:	John Lewis
Date:	20/10/06 (455 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Wide seletion of stock, good value of money, impressive service

Disadvantages: Often a bit of a maze of a store

I live about a 10 minute drive from the large John Lewis store in Edinburgh - one of the 26 John Lewis department stores in the UK.

"Department store" is the correct description for the place (I checked the website!) but I think that that gives it a bit too much of a dowdy image compared to its seemingly everchanging stock and style. It's not cutting edge, it doesn't have the exuberance of typical London stores such as Selfridges or the ever-suave Harvey Nicks, but it does have style and an everlasting class that it neither pretentious nor intimidating. Whilst other large department stores may have struggled at times to maintain a youthful image (think Debenhams?) John Lewis appears timeless. It's the sort of place my granny, my brother, my dad, my boyfriend, my mum, my brother and I could visit together (should we ever be so inclined to have a family day out to John Lewis...?) and all find a department to keep us entertained.

The shop has a wide selection of goods and is characterised by its price promise "Never Knowingly Undersold" which is beautifully comforting when purchasing an expensive but widely sold item such as a television or even a pair of swish jeans! It's a one stop shop which is invaluable come lunchtime on a Saturday when town is so busy you feel that there's no way of carrying on...

Housing a number of key departments including:

Homewares;
Womens, Mens and Chikdren's Clothing;
Lighting;
Luggage and Bags;
Giftware;
Perfumery;
Stationery;
Toys;
Home decorating including wallpaper and the fast-disappearing from the high street haberdashery section;
Electricals; and
Art

...to name only a few. In fact, there are so many departments that it really is a fantastic place to do a Christmas shop for even the most demanding of relatives.

Since opening 140 years ago, it has shown that it has been able to adapt well to the changing requirements of consumers - regular refurbishments and changing stock lines have ensured that its offerings are continually valued without becoming dated or jaded. Moving with the times is illustrated by the introduction of its website and online ordering service in 2001 (www.johnlewis.com). Again, a testimony to recognising the growing demands of shoppers to be able to access items 24 hours a day and in a convenient manner. The website itself is well laid out with clean lines - very much like the feel of the shop itself. Clear instructions and a user-friendly navigational search page mean that it is neither frustrating nor difficult to use.

Service levels are high and there is a feeling (unknown to some of its competitors) that the staff genuinely are happy to help and ready to provide assistance. Having recently looked at buying a briefcase in store, I was disappointed to learn that it was out of stock. However, I was not given the (unfortunately familiar) line of - try again in a few weeks. My name was taken as a delivery was expected in 6 days time and, sure enough, 6 days later I received a voicemail letting me know that it had arrived and would be reserved for me for a few days. I ended up calling back to say that they could put it on the shop floor as I had managed to buy one in the meantime - via their website! (Top tip - when buying on johnlewis.com, have a look on vouchercodes.com first - John Lewis often run give promotional codes for various offers such free delivery or a £10-15 discount if you achieve a qualifying spend level). Anyway, having placed the order on a SUnday evening, I was the proud owner of a shiny new briefcase by Wednesday! Again, perfect service.

All in all, it has been able to stand the test of time and I hope that, if I ever have children, I will be dragging them round John Lewis looking for schoolbags in the same way that my mother did with me. I will be safe in the knowledge that one day they will appreciate the place!

Summary: Can't fault it really!