How great is Boots?

Hello Ladies, 

So I've been doing a bit of thinking while at work today. I was restocking the make-up section and considering all the different products and things and it while I was doing this that I was approached by a customer. They basically wanted help around the store in finding the products they wanted. So obviously I was more than happy to help, in fact I rather enjoy these little tasks! I find it both intriguing and fascinating to think what customers are buying, why they might be buying it, who's going to be using it and what for? So it's during one of these little wonders round the shop that the customer turned to me and said: 'Do you know, I really like Boots.' I responded just with the usual 'Oh... yeah... that's nice! A lot of people do.' Then the customer went 'No. No. I REALLY like Boots. It just has everything I need in a shop.' That's what really got me thinking. Is Boots really that perfect a shop? Especially when considering certain sections like the make-up section I had been working in. So I thought I'd add my own little thoughts to this. 

'How great is Boots?'

It is a very interesting thing for me to consider. As you well know I work for Boots so of course am in their all the time! I don't think there is a day I don't visit! It's like I have some strange compulsion to go in there every single day regardless of if it's my day off or not! And the best thing is I can't stand working there half the time! On a day I have to work I literally fill with dread quite often, but I guess a lot of people feel like that when going to work I suppose. Although when just visiting on a time I'm not actually working it's usually a lot more pleasurable being there. But then again I get some sort of kick out of shopping... literally shopping anywhere, be it clothing outlets, department stores, beauty sections, even the supermarket! Yes I enjoy going food shopping! The only bit I don't like is the handing the money over at the till part at the end! But other than that I love it! It's almost an addiction I'd say. I literally love nothing more than wandering aimlessly round shops and particularly shops like Boots! Whenever I'm having a down day, or not feeling great I always go shopping as it's true what they say, shopping really is my retail therapy!

But more  to the point I wonder how my answers may differ from everyone elses considering I do work for the company and therefore am going to have quite different views. Especially seeing as I'm possibly going to know slightly different information about Boots, in terms of behind the scenes. Not saying it's a lot considering I'm not of any supervisory or management position but still probably more than the average shopper! Guess until I've written my full response you're not gonna know! :)

Now it's going to be hard for me to distance myself from being Emily the Boots worker from Emily the Boots customer so I'll probably switch between the two a bit. For example considering the question:

'What do you like about the Boots shopping experience?' 

Well from a customer's point of view I'd say: Boots generally have a product to fit your health and beauty needs, be it a skincare need, cold and flu need or you need a new fragrance you are able to find something to fit at the shop. It's arguably the biggest health and beauty chain in the country and stock one of the widest selections, especially if visiting the larger flagship stores, so you're spoilt for choice. I love that I can look around and find a product that's right for me. Plus I like the mix of premium brands such as Clarins, Clinique and Dior to the most basic such as Boots Essentials  so there is something to suit every budget too! I also like how anyone from the young to old can shop in Boots, and literally you can grow up in there right from the baby age and into children and then with girls in particular they can experiment with the younger girl cosmetic products and skincare, till teenage and they fully go into skincare mode. Okay not everyone but I did, getting cosmetics, skincare, picking out different body sprays etc. Then Boots cater right up to the older lady with their range of anti-aging formulas, again from the more high street names e.g. Nivea, Garnier right up to the premiums e.g. Estee Lauder, Clinique.

Now from a colleague's perspective I've got to say it's seeing customers leave, happy with their purchases. Often they've gotten something they either need or want and many leave satisfied with the price they've paid too. Plus I think the advantage card helps as well because people always like receiving their points. In fact some get a little too obsessive with them and want you to monitor every single item, plus their double points, plus their extra 300 points voucher, etc. And then still scrutinize what you've done! And that's not even including the fact they've bought it all from the clearance section!!! (Can you tell I was reminiscing one particular incident from the other day haha!)

However as someone who works for Boots that's something that drives me mad about the Boots shopping experience. So if thinking...

'What do you dislike about the Boots shopping experience?'

I'd say, nothing is ever clear. They have so many offers going on at the same time and by the time you've added your vouchers (if they actually qualify) I don't know what ends up more confused, me, the till or the customer! Plus more often than not the store will often forget to change over just even one of the offers on sales plan day and then you get customers coming up to you being like 'well it said this' and then accusing staff of not putting it through properly on the till or something! Or customers don't read the sign properly and then think they can get something that isn't on offer for the offer price. So Boots should probably make their signs clearer! However, as a consumer I'd say the thing that winds me up most about shopping at Boots is they frequently will not have something in store. For example the other day I went into the flagship store in Leeds that I work in and was planning on purchasing the Fast Hair Shampoo and Conditioner. Now the Boots there are actually really advertising this and have even got it in the specially dedicated 'latest finds' section. However, they had sold out. Why have it advertised in prime location if you're sold out?!

But now personally beauty related... 'What could Boots do to improve their beauty sections? Make-up especially!'

Well in terms of Cosmetics I'd say the biggest problem for Boots is that in the larger stores (and even in some of the smaller ones too! They don't have someone there to look after them! This means they end up a complete mess with things all in the wrong place and not always even in sell-able fashion anymore as so many people end up using the products as testers and things! Plus often the testers end up in the 'sell' sections! It just looks awful and means that you can't even look for items properly, so would never know if something was in stock or not! Plus that's another major issue when the cosmetics sections aren't looked after, the stock doesn't get replenished as quickly so customers are then left unable to purchase the latest beauty innovations as even if the store has it in stock you'd never know about it as it's stuck in a crate or a draw somewhere and not put in the makeup sections when the spaced becomes free. Although I've got to credit the beauty counters, e.g. premium beauty like Benefit and No.7 as these are often well looked after and the girls (and some men too) do a really great job and deserve credit for their brand! I think if all the sections had a dedicated representative that took pride in them and was expert in the section too then it would be amazing as customers would be able to get specialist advice and find the ideal products for them. However, I know this is often impractical so maybe a makeup dedicated sales team that would be knowledgeable on all the high-street brands would be a good idea. Although maybe they would need to be like the premium beauty franchises and often employed outside of Boots and brought in just to work in that location. 

What do you think? Do you have an opinion on Boots? 

Emily x

Images sourced: http://www.boots.com

My very own nail stall?

Now this is something all of us ladies can benefit a lot from! It may not be something particularly helpful to our budgets but it would certainly help us get very creative with our nails. Obviously the results are gonna be very varied as all of us ladies on the board are very different in age, which will probably prove interesting to see if there is a common ground between all of us. But anyway here is my response:

Which shop would you want to see this new Nail stall in? Boots, Superdrug...?

Based on my own selfish reasons I would probably select Boots as the place I could create a brand new nail section in as I would want the opportunity to work in a store that stocks the brand new section! In fact if I was at my home store in Essex I'd probably even be possibly responsible for stocking it and maintaining supplies so then would get to see and explore all the latest releases too! So could I claim that as being educational? Also beneficial to the board as I could share my product knowledge with everyone on here! Also selfishly I'd like the opportunity to use my staff discount, it may not be much but it does help. Although saying that I do get student discount in Superdrug too. Plus I think most people my age tend to favour Superdrug over Boots. I think it't because Superdrug maybe seems more modern and new. I dunno, just seems to be how it works.

 

Where abouts in store do you think a new nail store should be located?

I think from my own knowledge of working in a shop that sells these sort of products it would be best placed in between the beauty accessories and the make-up area. Generally these aren't far apart from each other in most Boots/Superdrug stores so will be easily accessible to customers. That way customers will find everything they need in one place as for nail products they're either kept with the make-up brands or in the beauty accessories section. So to have them meet in the middle would be ideal.

What products would I include as part of my beauty stall?

I'd have a range of products, with something to suit everyone. It would keep all the classics but also be on it with the latest trends too. Girls my age like to think of themselves as unique but yet still want to be on style and up to the minute with trends. It's like the never ending battle of the two. But anyway I would have a large collection of bright, bold nail polishes that would all be standard, but high quality and wouldn't chip easily and has high levels of shine. I'd then have a glitter collection which would include all the main metallics, plus other popular glitter colours such as pink and blue. Then on to the latest trends of a fur collection which would include a selection of the most popular colours, as well as a magnetic collection and a print effect collection including crackle effect, animal prints and the striped effect one, all available in a range of the most popular colours. Then I'd have a collection of specific nail care items such as the strengthener, cuticle pens, top/base coats, french manicure pens/ white nail varnish and a clear nail varnish for those who prefer a more natural look. 

Then of course you would also need a good supply of nail accessories to go with it. So a selection of nail varnish removers, one for normal nails, one acetone free for those with false/acrylic nails and then one for weak/brittle nails. I'd also have maybe nail varnish remover pads in case some people prefer them. Then I'd need a section where you could get your nail file, buffer, tweezers, cuticle sticks, nail clipper, basically anything you'd get in a nail manicure kit. Plus also an area in my nail bit based on nail wraps! These are hot on trend right now and I'd have a selection of plain popular colours, then patterned ones e.g. stripes/ spots , then animal print, then nail art style e.g. characters, flowers, lace, etc. Ooh and not forgetting false nails too! Plus the glue to go with, just so that people can do a  quick repair in case of emergency falling off issues! There are bound to be things I've forgotten but these are all I can think of immediately. Think I've mentioned quite a few things there!

What colour scheme would I follow?

If I had to pick a colour scheme it would be quite girly, but I think that's just because f the way I am. It wouldn't be to single a group of people out or anything and I think generally people my age wouldn't be put off of it as long as it still looked modern and sophisticated with a bit of style. I would probably go for standard black holders then for the logo I'd go for a hot pink colour. My girlishness clearly coming through there! Then for the lighting I'd have a strong white lights that really illuminate and brighten the stand so that it gives that glamourous feel as well as highlight the products better.

Would I have any extra 'visual' displays?

As part of my stand I'd also include little hand models/mannequins with acrylic nails on, painted with a hot trend for the week! I'd have this updated regularly and would be there to act as an inspiration to customers. I would also have little mini books with photos of nail designs as well as the product range and maybe items that could go together, again for inspiration.

 Would I supply any specific information for customers?

For consumers the main information I'd give is details regarding the products specifically such as ingredients, but then I'd also have little style tips and ideas too. That way they're getting all the knowledge they need to know about the products and the best way for them to use them. Of course the guide wouldn't need to be followed but it's just there to act as a suggestion.

What would be my 'star' seller?

I think the biggest seller would probably be one of the nail varnishes, maybe just one of the plain colours but I don't know. Even though they're not particularly new or exciting or even all that original, they're still major sellers on the market which proves people do still like the classics. In fact sometimes people my age actually prefer just to go for a bright bold colour rather than nail art and things, well that's what I've noticed anyway. So if the nail stand was aimed at my age people then this actually might be more popular! Although of course the other items would all still need to be there as they're major market sellers too and plus you need to stay on trend too!

So what do you think of my ideas? Anything you like or dislike? Or think you could think up something better? Let me know... :)

Emily x