Rackhams is Birmingham's only real department store, and as such has something of a captive audience. But Beatties move in in September, and not long after that the strange Selfridges building will begin to rise from the bombsite that is the Bull Ring. So, can Brum's most famous shop live with ... Read review
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Advantages: Enormous range, interesting obscure foods, the sixth floor Disadvantages: A little expensive, confusing layout, slightly snobbish air
Rackhams is Birmingham's only real department store, and as such has something of a captive audience. But Beatties move in in September, and not long after that the strange Selfridges building will begin to rise from the bombsite that is the Bull Ring. So, can Brum's most famous shop live with the competition?
The first thing that hits you about Rackhams is its size. As you approach the large block, you wonder how many shops are in ... ...comes up in the press, Rackhams say they'll compete first and foremost on customer service. Well, certainly their staff are more knowledgeable than most - it's refreshing to get told "third floor, about 1/3 of the way along on the left" and find it's actually right - but there are one or two niggles, the most important of those being the slight air of superiority. Nothing is ever made explicit, but us ordinary folks (guv) tend to get the ... more
Rackhams is Birmingham's only real department store, and as such has something of a captive audience. But Beatties move in in September, and not long after that the strange Selfridges building will begin to rise from the bombsite that is the Bull Ring. So, can Brum's most famous shop live with the competition?
The first thing that hits you about Rackhams is its size. As you approach the large block, you wonder how many shops are in it. Answer: one. It's *all* Rackhams. Its eight (yes, eight) floors cover no less than half a million square feet, and it is to all intents and purposes a self-contained town. It's entirely possible to spend a whole day in here, though whether it is possible to do so without going bankrupt is another matter....
One of Rackhams' distinctive features is its many entrances. This is a bonus in some ways (quicker to get out of the rain!), but on the other hand it's very easy to get disorientated if you use an unfamiliar door. Of course, you then have to walk through more of the shop, so possibly that's not entirely unintentional....
As with most department stores, the owners like to create an ambience (Rackhams is a bit too upmarket just to have an atmosphere), and so the ground floor is stuffed full of perfume stands. All very nice by themselves, I'm sure, but 100 scents at once can get a bit overpowering. The other problem with this arrangement is that instead of a couple of wide aisles there are lots of winding passages, which can lead to a lot of congestion.
I don't generally buy clothes in Rackhams, but their range seems to be pretty much what you'd expect. A little reminiscent of M&S (on a good day) - solid, reliable and rather expensive. They have some (fairly predictable) designer names, and one or two of their own fashion labels, but I know less than nowt about fashion so I'll pass over these in dignified silence.
The food hall in the basement is something that people often miss out on - again, that confusing layout is the cause. It does take a couple of attempts to find the right staircase and doorway, but it's worth it in the end. The food hall isn't really the place to do the weekly shop, though a few people seem to, but it's wonderful for those slightly out of the way products - goulash (from Slovenia, for some reason), caviare, Pettigrew's Hot Gooseberry Chutney (yum!) and so on.
The most interesting part of the store in many ways is the very top floor - the sixth. It does take a while to get up there - and if you're not ambushed by an assistant hawking House of Fraser Storecards you're luckier than most - but it's worthwhile. Here you'll find the audiovisual department (for people who can afford a Bang & Olufsen - per room!), a Lillywhite's concession - maybe you'll see Dominic Cork getting some much-needed bowling coaching... - and a very handy branch of GAME. This last isn't that big, and seems to have a bit of a fixation with DVDs, but there are often some games you can't find anywhere else.
The sixth floor also houses the spotless toilets, which are officially entitled "Gents Cloakroom" and "Ladies Powder Room" - a little bit of class never went amiss <g>. There's also a restaurant up here, which I've only used twice, but found to be perfectly acceptable. No chance of a Michelin star, maybe, but pretty decent by shop standards.
Every time the question of the forthcoming competition comes up in the press, Rackhams say they'll compete first and foremost on customer service. Well, certainly their staff are more knowledgeable than most - it's refreshing to get told "third floor, about 1/3 of the way along on the left" and find it's actually right - but there are one or two niggles, the most important of those being the slight air of superiority. Nothing is ever made explicit, but us ordinary folks (guv) tend to get the feeling we're regarded as a little below the "expected standard" of shoppers.
Prices tend to be fairly expensive, but on the other hand products are usually of good quality, so most people will accept it. As it happens, I've never had to return anything, but I gather that they don't make a fuss at people who do.
All in all, Rackhams is a good department store, and an asset to Birmingham, and I think it will thrive in the new competitive climate, though a couple of tweaks to customer service would be most welcome. Oh yes, one last point - it's a *fantastic* place to shelter from the rain!
Advantages: Good layout, choice. Disadvantages: Expensive, claustrophobic, sickening aromas, monopolistic
...centre a few days ago. Rackhams is situated at the top end of Corporation Street & Bull Street. It cannot be missed since it's a 7 storey block with flags draped around the sides.
Like all departments stores, the ground floor is for the ladies: cosmetics, personal hygiene etc. You only have to stray towards one of the fragrancy islands and some sales assistant will come at you with a perfume bottle ready to spray you without hesitation.
This floor ... ...limited & tasteless.
Overall, Rackhams seems to cater for the middle market & above. All the usual designer names are there, and the sales people tend to look down at visitors who don't quite measure up in the "fat purse, loads of cards" department.
However, they do offer a good & interesting selection, but I think being the only department store in town reflects badly on the city, because to be honest even without Rackhams the number of shops ...
dreamstar70 05.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Rackhams (Shop)
Advantages: nice store layout, good quality Disadvantages: pricey and snooty
...straight away I head for Rackhams (after Starbucks and Legends of course). It's a big shop and because I'm a teenager all the assistants look at me as if to say "you don't belong in here" especially if I'm wearing my baggiest skate gear.
The ground floor and the first floor are the best and Ralph Lauren on 3rd is really good. Some of the stuff in Rackhams is a bit posh'n'becks though (tacky but very very expensive).
Nice if your looking for something ...
zirconVansQueen 23.09.2000
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Review of Rackhams (Shop)
Advantages: None Disadvantages: Cant order on line
...I have used bridal services before, Beatties, M&S, John Lewis and even argos, all have provided and excellent service and I have never heard that there was a problem with any. Rackhams has a good reputation it is a shame that their bridal service does not match this! ...
khodgetts 31.10.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Rackhams (Shop)
Advantages: Location, Product Range, Sale Times!! Disadvantages: A Little Pricey, Refurbishment
...I take a venture to Rackhams to stock up on make-up, shoes and clothes ect... And I have to say I do enjoy my experience there, I personnaly think they have a good product range and also for those like me who loathe walking around as they have a personal shopper who can help you with all your little bits and bobs, these have to be booked in advance but are worth the wait as you can sit compfortably as someone does that all for you, and brings you ...
zazzyzoe 22.08.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Rackhams (Shop)
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Advantages: none of the above cost money Disadvantages: leg work +++
Finding things to do that dont break the bank in Brum is easy.
Start off in the centre of town - once you gave done all the window shopping you can take in Rackhams, City Plazas designer shops and the main thoroughfares, its time to nip off to the Mailbox for a bit more window envy and a visit to the newly opened Harvey NNichols - a bit over rated I have to say and I am a devout shopper !
Nip back to town and visit the Birmningham Museum and Art Gallery and the 3 or so galleries around Brindley Place - the Ikon Gallery is a good stopping off point for a resonable coffee and snack. Then off to the university in Edgbaston for a tad more culture in their art gallery before returning for a walk along the canal side in the Gas Street basin.
If you are really adventurous then Walsall has an excellent gallery as well as a good leather ...
Advantages: A great shopping experience, mainly good transport links. Disadvantages: BUSES-NIGHTMARE!!! rains all the time.
you have a few coppers to spend, or even a few hundred to spend. Major names like Rackhams, FCUK, Ted Baker, Reiss, Diesel, Schuh and Gap all have stores in the city centre along with the favourite women shops like Morgan and Kookai. Rackhams can be very handy for you busy shoppers if you can't find your desired purchase in their individual stores. The store has 4 levels for men, women, ladies wear (?!) and café and food. As you would expect with a world famous brand, there are the usual fashionable names like Armani and D&G to indulge your fantasies in, and Rackhams is clearly the best store in Brums crown. If you have a few extra few thousand quid to spend then there are many boutiques hidden away in the backwaters of the centre to court the extravegent. Excuse me for not knowing their names as being a student means that I don't have ...
Advantages: Variety, choice, close proximity. Disadvantages: None.
the Burlington arcade and the many side streets off New Street to find small boutiques and big names like Red or Dead, Diesel and Versace.
You have all of the ordinary mainstream shops as in any city such as M+S, Lush and department stores like BHS and Beatties (which is in place of the old C+A). In the city centre there are 2 HMV's and all of the shops you would expect to find like Gap, Woolworths and WHSmith.
Recently opened is a flagship city centre Sainsburys store which seems to be very crowded at weekends (mostly with young people trying to buy booze as there are very few off licences in the city centre!). This is in Martineax Square.
The House Of Fraser department store, Rackhams, is on Corporation Street and consists of five floors of luxury home furnishings, designer clothes, and (on the ground level) orange faced ladies trying to ...
MissDirect 02.04.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of New Street
