In another fiercely competitive week, three retailers boasted 100% availability. Sainsbury's in Darnley, in Scotland, however, was the only retailer to tick all the boxes and provide a pleasant shop all round.
Our shopper was impressed with the wide range in the Hallowe'en aisle and the free activity leaflets for children. There were enough tills open and the checkout assistant was described as "very polite and pleasant" by our shopper.
Waitrose in Bury St Edmunds had no out of stocks either. The checkout assistant offered to pack and the aisles were free of shelf stackers. However, the yoghurt proved difficult to find as it was located away from other dairy products.
Also boasting a full basket was Morrisons in Whitefield, but it was let down by a mistake on the receipt. Our shopper was charged for the wrong type of grapefruit and then had to wait in a long queue for a refund. The seal on the bleach was also broken, and fluid leaked all over our shopper's bag.
Tesco in Halifax was let down by availability and staff directed our shopper to the wrong aisle. The checkout assistant was polite, however, and the store was tidy.
Availability disappointed at Asda in Sinfin, too, and there were lots of gaps on shelves. However the staff did check out the back for missing items. It was the only untidy store in this week's survey, with a littered till area.
Winner, Ian McLachlan, store manager, Sainsbury's, Darnley
What offers do you have at the moment?
We have a deal on baby products, where customers can save a third on nappies, toiletries and clothing for the newborn. We also have 3-for-2 on selected beer packs as well as a 25% discount when customers buy six or more bottles of wine. Customers are taking really well to these offers.
Do you have a problem with theft?
About 18 months ago we had some challenging youths outside the store. We took a zero-tolerance approach and now have two permanent security guards. They are very well trained and we involve them with what is happening at the store.
How did your store celebrate Hallowe'en?
We encouraged the staff to dress up to win prizes and many did. We had a much larger Hallowe'en range this year with twice as much space compared with last year and it sold really well.
What initiatives has your store independently carried out?
We have a company policy but are also given space to do something we think works well. If we think of an initiative or project, we are encouraged to give it a go. In our Service for Sales initiative, department managers and the management team worked on the shop floor with colleagues and customers to find out what they were looking for from the store.
How is your online service doing?
Good. We have seven lorries and it accounts for 10% of sales, which are up 25% year-on-year.
How are you finding the new online operations process?
It keeps track of our rolling stock and is making our deliveries slicker and simpler, speeding up the process and ensuring home-delivery orders are now clear by 2pm each day. It gives room for any issues and fall-backs we may encounter, and we also have more handsets.
Do you help good causes in your area?
We work with Glen Oaks Housing Association and try to support its activities. It recently held a gardening competition and we donated the prizes. We also take Glen Oaks and our local nursing home's recycling for them. We sponsor a local school's pupil of the year initiative, too.
Our shopper was impressed with the wide range in the Hallowe'en aisle and the free activity leaflets for children. There were enough tills open and the checkout assistant was described as "very polite and pleasant" by our shopper.
Waitrose in Bury St Edmunds had no out of stocks either. The checkout assistant offered to pack and the aisles were free of shelf stackers. However, the yoghurt proved difficult to find as it was located away from other dairy products.
Also boasting a full basket was Morrisons in Whitefield, but it was let down by a mistake on the receipt. Our shopper was charged for the wrong type of grapefruit and then had to wait in a long queue for a refund. The seal on the bleach was also broken, and fluid leaked all over our shopper's bag.
Tesco in Halifax was let down by availability and staff directed our shopper to the wrong aisle. The checkout assistant was polite, however, and the store was tidy.
Availability disappointed at Asda in Sinfin, too, and there were lots of gaps on shelves. However the staff did check out the back for missing items. It was the only untidy store in this week's survey, with a littered till area.
Winner, Ian McLachlan, store manager, Sainsbury's, Darnley
What offers do you have at the moment?
We have a deal on baby products, where customers can save a third on nappies, toiletries and clothing for the newborn. We also have 3-for-2 on selected beer packs as well as a 25% discount when customers buy six or more bottles of wine. Customers are taking really well to these offers.
Do you have a problem with theft?
About 18 months ago we had some challenging youths outside the store. We took a zero-tolerance approach and now have two permanent security guards. They are very well trained and we involve them with what is happening at the store.
How did your store celebrate Hallowe'en?
We encouraged the staff to dress up to win prizes and many did. We had a much larger Hallowe'en range this year with twice as much space compared with last year and it sold really well.
What initiatives has your store independently carried out?
We have a company policy but are also given space to do something we think works well. If we think of an initiative or project, we are encouraged to give it a go. In our Service for Sales initiative, department managers and the management team worked on the shop floor with colleagues and customers to find out what they were looking for from the store.
How is your online service doing?
Good. We have seven lorries and it accounts for 10% of sales, which are up 25% year-on-year.
How are you finding the new online operations process?
It keeps track of our rolling stock and is making our deliveries slicker and simpler, speeding up the process and ensuring home-delivery orders are now clear by 2pm each day. It gives room for any issues and fall-backs we may encounter, and we also have more handsets.
Do you help good causes in your area?
We work with Glen Oaks Housing Association and try to support its activities. It recently held a gardening competition and we donated the prizes. We also take Glen Oaks and our local nursing home's recycling for them. We sponsor a local school's pupil of the year initiative, too.
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