BUDGET IS THE NAME OF THE GAME (Peacocks)

Member Name: snappy

Product:	Peacocks
Date:	07/02/02 (206 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: cheap prices, large selection, stores nationwide

Disadvantages: quality is less than required at times

The town that I live in is not exactly a metropolis of Shopping. We have the bare essentials - one of most types of shops (except far too many 'charity' shops and estate agents!)

Until quite recently, if I was looking for a shirt, sweatshirt, jumper, pair of trousers, I'd have one option, a small menswear shop in a side street - Yes, it really is as dire as that! Similarly, if you are a woman, except at least there is a small branch of 'New Look' in town and a 'Mackay's shop which is primarily for children.

But now, at long last we have a 'new kid on the block' with the arrival of 'Peacocks' in town. OK So it's not exactly a designer outlet, but at least it means that you can go there on any day of the week (inc Sundays, quite amazingly) and buy the clothing essentials.

It is certainly good news for families 'on a budget' and anyone looking for old fashioned good value. As well as the new store in our town, when I've popped into other Peackocks' branches around and about they are pretty standard. Neatly laid out without in any way being trendy. Pretty bright and airy with the layout not going for the 'pile then high' technique of trying to cram as much into as small a space as possible.

They carry a wide range of Childrens, Womens and Mens clothes, plus towels, linen and accessories. Standard items like undies and socks, plus inexpensive fashion accesories - and all at keen prices.

I'm not wildly keen on some of their stuff as it is a little on the 'shoddy' side in some respects. You would find better quality at much the same prices at somewhere like a 'Matalan', but it is well worth taking a look at Peacocks as they do, from time to time have reasonable items.

Special offers on 'name' makes like Nike, Umbro and Adidas T-Shirts for under a tenner, can be found at times. However, their own label offerings like 
9;Urban Spirit' are not the best quality around, but for a 'basics' time clothing line I suppose it is OK. Cheap and cheerful - it won't fall apart the first time you wash it, but with Kids these days being pretty choosy about what they wear, I wouldn't go overboard in kitting them out in the own label gear.

Peacocks also have their own website at www.peacocks.co.uk and you can browse there to get some idea of what they stock. But a word of warning - the pictures on the website look better than the stock in the shops!

Don't misinterprete what I'm saying - I'm really not aiming to knock Peacocks. In a town like ours, their store is like a beacon. As I said, they carry a range of clothing that gives you something for all members of the family. It's inexpensive, and for families on a 'limited budget' and maybe pensioners who have to be careful with their cash, it's a Godsend.

For every day clothes or maybe something slightly better, but at 'everyday prices', you should try giving Peacocks a go.

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