John Lewis (London)

Advantages: Central, well-stocked and good value
Disadvantages: mediocre staff, grubby in parts

...reason I compare Selfridges and John Lewis is because they largely provide the same kind of service, and moving from the former to the latter is more of a culture shock than some might imagine. I fully accept that this sounds snobby, but after the Harrods-lite of Selfridges (with prices similarly ambitious), John Lewis is a bit of a come down. It's much more practical in feel, and for the most part avoids a sense of luxury, rather intending to provide ...
...Practical, everyday things are what John Lewis is all about, though there is the occasional surprise (such as the blow torch my mother was, erm, delighted to receive for Christmas!) and a nod or two to the finer things in life. Overall, it's a good place to shop, but it lacks charm and there's no sense of being somewhere special. But then the prices are good, the layout's efficient - if you want to buy stuff and be done with it, then John Lewis ... Read review

Advantages: Quality, service, fair prices
Disadvantages: Can't quite afford to visit as much as I'd like

...fond memories of shopping in John Lewis years ago with my mother leading me round the departments, stopping only to pay and have the goods sent down to "Purchase Assembly" - but it's not just nostalgia that makes me like John Lewis. While it's not a cheap place to shop, prices are usually fair and reflect the quality of the goods. The range is excellent and you can tell that there must be experienced buyers at work. I think I would be surprised ...
...find anything I wanted to buy! They are, of course, an essential source for everyday homewares that you can trust not to fall apart, but there's also plenty of more interesting products that put them ahead of the competition. I went in recently to buy a simple, plain lampshade - and came out instead with a brilliant, funky, translucent-iridescent thing that you just wouldn't find in other department stores. I must say also that the stores have improved ... Read review

Advantages: Will price match. Excellent service.
Disadvantages:

...new washing machine delivered from John Lewis in Kingston, Surrey. Shopping around I knew that it was £20 cheaper elsewhere, however John Lewis had no delivery charge and also would take away the old machine for free. Therefore we bought from John Lewis and also managed to claim back the £20 difference which we received within a week. Excellent service indeed. What is more they through in an extra year's warranty free of charge. They now have one ... Read review

Advantages: All round excellence
Disadvantages: Nothing I can think of

...order and bought one from John Lewis. It came the next day. What do I love about it: The layout is spacious and easy to follow (not crowded like Debenhams) The staff are always helpful (they treat them well) The cafe's are wonderful, if a little pricey You can order things over the phone and they arrive Their account has a very low interest rate They have toilets that are easy to find What I don't like: The Kingston store - I can't find ... Read review

Advantages: Relative isolation from London & Home Counties
Disadvantages: Equally relatively tedious journey to get there

...to be useful in a modern way without the old heart having been totally ripped out of it. The centre is dominated by the largest open-air market in Europe, and by the Castle Hill with its …err….Castle.. The famous Cathedral is a splendid structure, and no doubt familiar, at least in outline, to anyone with a CGNU insurance policy! If he weren’t dead already, I’d like to march Noel Cowerd at gun point to the top of Castle Hill, and say “Now, give me that ‘Very flat – Norfolk’ line again” Being the main town for miles around does at least mean that Norwich has a big branch of most of the High St stores, and Bonds, at department store in the John Lewis group. This is at variance to the London suburban experience, where you only tend to have access to smaller versions, unless you want to go to Oxford Street, that is. I do like cities... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A brilliant city that has everything
Disadvantages: Expensive

..., Thai and so on. I’m sure you all get the picture. Shopping & Fashion: ******************* London will spoil you in this department, there are lots of shopping areas scattered all over London, which offers everything you, can possibly want. Central London has hundreds of fashion department stores and smaller designer outlets. Selfridges, Harrods, Debenhams, John Lewis and many more. Parks: ****** Regents Park is my favourite park in London, this park is complete in everyway, you have London Zoo on the premises, lakes, restaurants, acres of playing field, and beautiful wildlife. Regents is not the only park in London – Hyde park, St James Park, Holland Park, all acres of playing field and pleasure to take walks in. Accommodation: ************** Superb hotels and hostels to choose from – ranging from 2 star to five star... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Large amounts of free parking, easyily accessed by public transport
Disadvantages: Poor selection of shops, small, hideous building

...Living in central London, Brent Cross is my nearest out of town shopping centre. I rarely go there, mainly because there is no need. I have been there a couple of times mainly because sister stores have been out of stock of a particular product, whilst their Brent Cross branch had it. Driving to Brent Cross is extremely easy, as is parking - loads of spaces in both open and covered carparks. The building itself is a mish-mash of hideous seventies architecture and eighties extensions; it is too small when compared to American malls; it needs to be pulled down and rebuilt on a much larger scale. The shops such as John Lewis, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Hugo Boss, are the best there. Other shops such as Fenwicks never have such a varied and upmarket range as their west-end counterparts. There is the usual selection of electrical... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful