First Impressions
The shop seemed inviting, but it was unclear what kind of health store it is – I later discovered that it’s trying to be a bit of everything and does not specialise in any one sector.
Outside there was a bin with a special offer for gluten-free pasta and a promotional table on Solgar Omega Advanced Blend 2:1:1 giving out samples and leaflets. One window featured Solgar products and the other one Dr Hauschka skincare products.
On entering the store I found tidy wood-look shelves and cupboards. It was very clean and uncluttered.
Verdict: 7/10
Store Layout
Lots of promotions and information, in particular leaflets for acupuncture and different types of massage that take place in a therapy room at the back of the store.
Considering the huge range of products on sale, this is not a massive shop – there is room to breath because it is very well organized, with a good balance between food, eco-household, body care and supplements.
Verdict: 9/10
Personal Attention
I was approached soon after I entered the shop by a young lady who listened attentively to my needs and was happy to help. She wasn’t desperate to sell me anything. I felt that I could trust her; she was very well informed and aware of the responsibility of her work.
She seemed very knowledgeable and advised me to seek advice from a pharmacist or GP before she would recommend taking any of the female multivitamins devised for PMT, because anything that helps to balance the menstrual cycle could interfere with medications including asthma inhalers.
Verdict: 10/10
Check Out
The same lady served me at check out. I felt that just over 20 euros for six items was good value and was happy to part with the money.
There were leaflets beside the till that I picked up and read later. I wasn’t offered a newsletter and no website was mentioned. I would like to return in the future, this time having checked out whether it is OK for me to take certain natural products.
Verdict: 7/10
Overall Impression
The store wasn’t massively busy, so everyone who needed help got plenty of one-to-one attention and advice. I felt welcome and helped, and I would recommend the store to friends
Verdict: 8/10
Total marks 41/50
Store location: The West Country
Issues enquired about: Children’s bath time products for dry and sensitive skin, and Vegan cooking products.
First Impressions
This delightful store is approached along a tiny, old narrow pedestrian street giving it the look of a 'proper, old-fashioned' shop. Their colorful window display also allows you to see through into the shop which appeared well-stocked with a wide range of products.
Entering the shop it's instantly clear that it has a very small footprint but despite having most available space in use, it still has a light, airy feel.
Verdict: 8/10
Store Layout
The layout is clearly divided into various sections but it was also nice to be able to explore. There are lots of little treasures in this tiny shop. It’s surprisingly uncramped while managing to maintain a nice, not-on-the-high-street, unbranded feel. The building is old so it’s an unusual shape with good use made of nooks and crannies. There was a wide range of products and a nice balance between the various sections, all of which were well stocked.
There were notice boards with flyers and cards for local therapists including the treatment room upstairs plus product information and community activities.
Verdict: 8/10
Personal Attention
Just one person serving but she looked over and smiled and then spoke to me when she was free, asking if I needed any help. She was very friendly and smiley but not pushy.
I asked about bath products for my daughter who has dry, sensitive skin and was led to a small area where toiletries were, including a shelf specifically for kids' products. I was shown the different things available and recommendations were made. I asked about ingredients and animal testing and all my questions were answered right away. I definitely felt helped, not sold to.
Verdict: 10/10
Check Out
Checkout service was nice and chatty. It felt like personal service, efficient and friendly and I was more than happy to part with my money.
I will definitely return in the future. There are food products there that I can't find anywhere else locally and I liked the personal, relaxed service.
Verdict: 9/10
Overall Impression
Overall, I’d say this store has it exactly right for the passing trade in this small market town. There's a personal, 'local store' feel to it with friendly but knowledgeable service that saw a steady stream of customers coming through and shopping.
Verdict: 9/10
Total marks 44/50
Store location: East Anglia
Enquiry: A 'TLC' package as a gift for a friend who is tired and lacklustre with puffy eyes and dry lips
First Impressions
The shop is in a lovely little street in a historic Roman town. The feeling is of a a village apothecary. Shelves are lined with intriguing products and potions, windows are pretty, and uncluttered and an alluring central carousel display adds focus.
A sun emblem decorates the ‘menu board’ on the pavement outside, hand-chalked with the skin condition of the day, the shop signage and the website, leaflets and business cards. The ‘sun’ really drew me in and established the upbeat ambience.
On entering there’s a well-lit corridor, stocked with leaflets on therapies, and it becomes clear that this is is a truly holisic business. Once inside, the well-stocked shelves are merchandised very artfully. There’s a big accent on inside-out, top to toe, health and beauty. The panorama of shelves lining the store give the visitor a clear run to browse in peace and the store has the most beautiful centrepiece.
Verdict: 9/10
Store Layout
The shop is airy, light and uncluttered and in itself promotes a sense of wellbeing. There are leaflets everywhere promoting two beautiful adjoining therapy rooms. These include nutrition, one-to-one yoga, homeopathy, acupuncture, reflexology, shiatsu, Dr Hauschka facials and beauty treatments.
This shop is high-end. Only the best of labels and it was with the discovery of Essential Care that I chose my friend’s gift. The owner of the shop is a great fan, and very supportive as it's a local company, a family business, that is one hundred per cent ethical.
My friend's TLC kit was a Rose Moisturiser, Rose Petal Tonic and a multitasking Calendula Balm. And because I'd reached the promotional 'spend', I also got a free Gentle Herb Shampoo.
Verdict: 8/10
Personal Attention
The owner, who is charming and non-pushy, is also very knowledgable and confident in her surroundings. The shop has been there for eight years and she runs it independently with help from her therapists.
I explained the resaon for my visit and mentioned I was interested in the restorative 'anti-ageing' section mentioned on the shop’s website. She immediately took me to the Essential Care section and explained the ideas about it. I definitely would put my trust in her and she came over as very discreet.
Verdict: 7/10
Check Out
Seamless transaction and my gift looked prestigious. No mention of a newsletter or promotions - the website must attract a lot of visitors and the leaflets convey the philosophy of the business.
Verdict: 6/10
Overall Impression
The owner is definitely the centre of the shop’s universe and therapy centre. I have already told friends about the store and I definitely plan to return.
Verdict: 9/10
Total marks 43/50
Store location: East Scotland
What the SS was looking for: General fatigue
First Impressions
A slightly fatigued looking shop front but with striking signage and two large and inviting window displays; this store looked reasonably welcoming on what was a cold and rainy day.
But with no other customers, no music, fragrant smells or obvious bargains, it was a low key entrance experience.
Verdict: 7/10
Store Layout
The store was well laid out, very uniform, like a mini supermarket, and with pleasingly wide aisles and light shelving, giving a feeling of relaxed spaciousness. A large sports nutrition/body building section gave way to staples such as pulses and nuts, then biscuits and snacks, spreads, beverages and seasonings. The chilled section was a little under stocked but the variety was good. The beauty section was pleasing, distinct and well stocked. There was a small bargain section and I didn’t notice a lot of promotions through the store, but there were quite a few leaflets and free magazines at the counter. The VMS, in the last aisle, was the best stocked and most varied section.
Verdict: 7/10
Personal Attention
I was left to browse - very appreciated - but when I needed help I realised I would have to make the approach.
Unfortunately, the manager was clearly not well so wasn’t as friendly and forthcoming as he might have been on another occasion. I was glad he didn’t get too close! His advice for my complaint of being inexplicably tired all the time was to take Solgar Energy Modulators. He then departed to serve someone else. Back with me, I asked for a lower cost alternative and he suggested Natures Aid CoQ10. I mentioned stress might be a factor and was given Solgar Balance Rhodiola Complex as well. I was also given some sound general dietary advice such as eating plenty of raw foods.
Verdict: 7/10
Check Out
Efficient and friendly until I queried one of my purchases (which was leaking). The assistant checked if there was a replacement but there wasn’t - he asked ‘Did I want it or not?’ I raised my eyebrows and he said ‘Do you want a discount or something?’ I hadn’t thought so but something in his tone of voice led me to reply ‘that would be nice, after all it is leaking’ and I was given a 33% discount.
Verdict: 6/10
Overall Impression
I would visit this well stocked shop again, and I would seek nutritional guidance too, as I obviously caught the manager on a bad day, struggling with a cold, and probably didn’t get the best of his attention.
Verdict: 7/10
Total marks 34/50
Store location: SW Scotland
What the SS was looking for: Rosacea, on behalf of my sister
First Impressions
Large full size windows to the front, blinds pulled half way down the window making it seem closed from a distance. There were a few posters in the window.
The window display was advertising the household brand Ecover. They had done a good job on advertising the product as they had lots of different Ecover products stacked up and a washing line with clean clothes on it, but the display looked a little messy. I didn’t find it inviting, I could have walked past it without noticing it.
Two different entrances, one to the supplement department the other to the food department. Lots of space to move around. But no customers!
Verdict: 7/10
Store Layout
The store was not well stocked, with no products on the higher shelves. The lower shelves that were stocked had lots of gaps or only one row of product with no spares behind.
There were no promotions, just a few posters for various products at the shop front and a notice board at the back corner.
Good layout - food on one side of the store and a large open entry into the supplement department, plus a therapy room at the back and a sofa. A good balance, on one side food and deli section with till, on the other supplements, body care and household and another till.
I liked the look of the store but the lack of products on the shelves spoiled it a little.
Verdict: 7/10
Personal Attention
No welcome on entering even though the staff watched me coming in and I was the only customer. I was left unattended and they didn't seem interested in me.
When I was paying for products the staff member was very pleasant, she even taped the lid on some bath salts so they wouldn't spill.
The woman behind the counter talked about the basics of Rosacea but said she would need to see my sister to see the symptoms before she could help. She seemed to know what she was talking about but couldn’t give out that much information without seeing the symptoms.
Verdict: 4/10
Check Out
The counter staff were friendly but I was not offered additional items or a newsletter or online information. I noticed there was a blackboard at one end of the counter with information about a newsletter. However, there was no real incentive to return to the shop.
Verdict: 5/10
Overall Impression
The store was very quiet during my visit, well staffed but not overly friendly - they didn't speak to me and didn't make me feel welcome. I wasn't asked if I needed any help - I had to approach the counter for this.
I would recommend this shop if it was close by for natural products but wouldn't recommend travelling far to visit it.
Verdict: 6/10
Total marks 29/50