High end stores e.g. Sloane Street

[Liverbird77]

I used to work just off Sloane Street and walked up and down it every day.
I have just been wondering, does anyone shop in any of those stores regularly? They always seemed pretty empty to me!
If you do, what's the experience like? Are they welcoming or snobby? Are there a range of sizes on the racks, or do you have to ask?
If anyone worked in one of these stores, do you pass judgement on people who come in e.g. making assumptions about whether they can afford to be there, whether their "look" is right for the store etc.
I've since moved up north, so unlikely to be visiting them, but I've always been curious!

I once nannied for someone who shopped there, she was loaded and very stylish. Can't imagine her being worried about the staff in the shops at all, she'd been lifted and laid her entire life by staff.

Thanks for answering. I guess you'd have to be loaded to shop there. I would be worried about ruining an item/spilling something on it at those prices!!

I have always wondered if people shop in the actual shop on Sloane street or in the Harrods or Harvey Nicks Concession. Or does The dept store rely on more impulse buys and the shops are where more considered purchases happen.

I've always wanted to pluck up the balls to look in one of the shops. But yet don't mind browsing as much in Harrods. Should emphasise the just browsing on the most part.

It's amazing how quickly you can spend large amounts of money in those shops. They just need a couple of people a day to come in a drop £1000 buying three items to stay in business. That's why they never look busy!

Me too! I would feel so intimidated if I am honest. I am usually quite confident but those shops are terrifying to me. I would be worried that the security on the door would t let me in!!!

I can feel those security guards bore through to your sole when window shopping from the C1 bus. Let alone up close and personal

I was a big Vivienne Westwood and Pam Hogg fan pre-children when figure and budget allowed.

It's nicer shopping in the shops as the staff are more attentive and trained to guide you towards what actually suits and flatters rather than what you think you want.

They're not intimidating at all. You can't judge someone's wealth by the clothes they're wearing, and everyone should be treated with the same respect regardless. I would be happy to go in and browse even if I had no intention of buying.

Regular clients will usually have their own sales associates who know their tastes and will call them when new pieces arrive. They will also be able to source items for you.

IMO

They are flagships for branding purposes unlikely to turn a profit I think.

They probably get a few very rich customers that regularly send their personal shoppers in to bulk buy the latest designs, so the staff probably know these customers. Then the less wealthy customers that browse mostly or occasionally buy a very considered one off purchase would be obvious. Must be so boring

I went into one handbag store once and looked very closely at a particular one. The rather snooty assistant looked me up and down and said " that is quite an expensive bag, are you sure it's what you really want, we do have cheaper". Her face when I replied "I know it's expensive...I made it and if that's the way you speak to our customers, both you and I won't be doing our jobs much longer".

I did report her to our retail staff HR who were not impressed with her attitude one bit.

I once popped into louis button to just buy a replacement strap for a bag. The woman was really rude and said I needed an appointment (despite no-one else in the store and me only needing 2 mins). I walked into Harrods and bought the same strap immediately. No problems.

• vitton not button, bloody auto type

Pre DD/new house I bought handbags. I went to the stores regularly in leggings and a t-shirt. Was treated very well. Even if not I wouldn't have cared much. Ultimately if salespeople want to sell things, it's in their best interest to treat people politely and respectfully.

Last Christmas my parents, DH and DS (11mo at the time) were wandering around London and found ourselves in a posh shopping area. Dolce and Gabbana had an amazing window display that enticed us in and the sales lady was so lovely telling us about the collaboration it was featuring (we were very obviously not actually looking to shop). And then as we walked by Sotheby's Auction House and I made a comment about the massive diamond ring in the display the security guard stopped us and brought us inside to show us more and talk to us about some of the things he'd seen come through the auctions.

I thought it was so lovely how welcoming they both were when we were clearly not interested in buying anything.

@trapped - which brand name was the bag? 😁

@Livingoffcoffee what a lovely story!

Have purchased from various Louis Vuitton stores. First purchase in Edinburgh sticks out. Knew exactly what I was looking for - horrid sales assistant hissed that bag doesn’t exist. Colleague corrected her that indeed it did. Once she realised I was purchasing said bag the attitude changed completely and couldn’t have been any nicer - can I get anything else for you, any other bags you would like to look at? Have generally found them a lot better now - maybe because I’ve been carrying a designer bag.

I’ve always found Mulberry staff lovely - be it in stand alone stores or concessions.

twinkledag

Pm'd you who I make bags for...sshhh.