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Running Stores...the results
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Right, I have made some attempt to collate the results from the Sports stores survey.
I have devised a sort of league table from all the replies received. It is very hit and miss and there are many variables that come into play, but unfortunately the nature of the survey means that these can't be taken into account so I have tried to keep it as simple as possible. Obviously, the results are very dependent on how many respondents have used each store and this should be kept in mind (eg. 10 people might positively comment on store X and 2 on store Y, but 80% of respondents may have been to store X and only 2% to store Y). Hope this makes sense, but if not, it's not that important?!?!
Basically then, it works like this. Each store has been awarded one point for a positive mention and deducted a point for a negative mention. I have had to arbitrate on one or two vague comments to decide whether they are positive or negative and if in too much doubt, I have excluded them. The table of the best stores then, looks like this...
Up & Running (6)
Runners Need, Camden (5)
Sweatshop, Teddington (5)
Start Fitness (4)
Natterjacks (4)
London City Runner, Blackfriars (3)
Ontherun (3)
Runner's Need, Liverpool St (3)
Sweatshop, Reading (3)
Advance Performance (2)
Sweatshop,Covent Garden (2)
Sweatshop, Harrods (2)
Easy Runner, Bristol (2)
Run & Become, Cardiff (2)
Run & Become, Edinburgh (2)
So Up & Running seem to be the top store amongst forumites, probably largely due to their excellent mail order service. The two Runner's Need shops also score highly and mail order specialists Start Fitness and Natterjacks also seem to be held in very high regard. Interesting as well to see many of the Sweatshop stores doing well (if avoiding the Saturday staff in some stores!), whereas their mail order arm seems to be a bit of a shambles (see below).
Other shops with a positive mention...
Leisureways
Girlsruntoo
Runner's Need Mail Order
TFN
Skyrrid Sports, Abergavenny
53-12 (Triathlon mail order)
Two Thirteen Sports, Witney, Oxon
Personal Best, Chadderton, Oldham
Northern Runner
Sweatshop, Finchley
Birmingham Runner
SportLink, Norwich
Sweatshop, Edinburgh
Sweatshop, Nottingham
Sportshoes Unlimited
Now the ones to avoid (I've put the worst at the top!)
Bourne Sports (-5)
Sweatshop Mail Order(-4)
Run & Become, London (-3)
JJB (-2)
NikeTown (-1)
Sweatshop, Bristol (-1)
Although Bourne and Run & Become redeemed two points each by also having favourable mentions (these points are included in the totals), they are still well up the list of worst running stores amongst forumites. Bourne, it seems, are the shabbiest of the lot! Interesting to see Sweatshop's mail order service getting a slating, whilst their shops seem to be very popular. Although a couple of people singled out JJB for criticism, the predominant theme across the survey seems to be that all of the 'High Street' sports stores give runners a very poor service, especially where shoes are concerned and it is up to everybody to spread the gospel about this to others. As many people identified, these shops exist merely as fashion stores and those that are getting spotty Saturday staff to offer technical shoe advice, quite simply shouldn't be.
If my boss is reading this, I collated the results during my lunch hour and certainly haven't spent the last two hours doing it in YOUR time! Glad that's cleared that up...
I have devised a sort of league table from all the replies received. It is very hit and miss and there are many variables that come into play, but unfortunately the nature of the survey means that these can't be taken into account so I have tried to keep it as simple as possible. Obviously, the results are very dependent on how many respondents have used each store and this should be kept in mind (eg. 10 people might positively comment on store X and 2 on store Y, but 80% of respondents may have been to store X and only 2% to store Y). Hope this makes sense, but if not, it's not that important?!?!
Basically then, it works like this. Each store has been awarded one point for a positive mention and deducted a point for a negative mention. I have had to arbitrate on one or two vague comments to decide whether they are positive or negative and if in too much doubt, I have excluded them. The table of the best stores then, looks like this...
Up & Running (6)
Runners Need, Camden (5)
Sweatshop, Teddington (5)
Start Fitness (4)
Natterjacks (4)
London City Runner, Blackfriars (3)
Ontherun (3)
Runner's Need, Liverpool St (3)
Sweatshop, Reading (3)
Advance Performance (2)
Sweatshop,Covent Garden (2)
Sweatshop, Harrods (2)
Easy Runner, Bristol (2)
Run & Become, Cardiff (2)
Run & Become, Edinburgh (2)
So Up & Running seem to be the top store amongst forumites, probably largely due to their excellent mail order service. The two Runner's Need shops also score highly and mail order specialists Start Fitness and Natterjacks also seem to be held in very high regard. Interesting as well to see many of the Sweatshop stores doing well (if avoiding the Saturday staff in some stores!), whereas their mail order arm seems to be a bit of a shambles (see below).
Other shops with a positive mention...
Leisureways
Girlsruntoo
Runner's Need Mail Order
TFN
Skyrrid Sports, Abergavenny
53-12 (Triathlon mail order)
Two Thirteen Sports, Witney, Oxon
Personal Best, Chadderton, Oldham
Northern Runner
Sweatshop, Finchley
Birmingham Runner
SportLink, Norwich
Sweatshop, Edinburgh
Sweatshop, Nottingham
Sportshoes Unlimited
Now the ones to avoid (I've put the worst at the top!)
Bourne Sports (-5)
Sweatshop Mail Order(-4)
Run & Become, London (-3)
JJB (-2)
NikeTown (-1)
Sweatshop, Bristol (-1)
Although Bourne and Run & Become redeemed two points each by also having favourable mentions (these points are included in the totals), they are still well up the list of worst running stores amongst forumites. Bourne, it seems, are the shabbiest of the lot! Interesting to see Sweatshop's mail order service getting a slating, whilst their shops seem to be very popular. Although a couple of people singled out JJB for criticism, the predominant theme across the survey seems to be that all of the 'High Street' sports stores give runners a very poor service, especially where shoes are concerned and it is up to everybody to spread the gospel about this to others. As many people identified, these shops exist merely as fashion stores and those that are getting spotty Saturday staff to offer technical shoe advice, quite simply shouldn't be.
If my boss is reading this, I collated the results during my lunch hour and certainly haven't spent the last two hours doing it in YOUR time! Glad that's cleared that up...
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Comments
Impressive work. Thanks for your efforts - interesting reading.
If I was involved with Bourne sports, I'd
a) Be worried and dp something about it
b) Post an explanation on the site, as that guy Simon from Mizuno did.
I always heard poor customer service got relayed to 20 friends and this proves the power of word of mouth yet again. Power to the people!
What is this thing called an annual bonus about which you speak so highly!?
Sean
Why don't we escalate these findings to the people in the know at RW so that they can present your findings to their partners as they will be able to put more weight behind getting us some discount!!!!
A job well done!
My company aren't thoughtful enough to do me the favour of sacking me!!!
Hey, perhaps we could introduce relegation and promotion as well! Er, maybe not then...
I must bookmark this thread so that next time I need any kit I can check here first for the good shops.
Perhaps RW will consider having Natterjacks or Start Fitness as a shopping partner, rather than Bourne Sports! I like the idea of a discount as well. (Take note RW.)
On the positive side out- out in Luton it is a bit of a wilderness for sports shops but I use ARO sports in Hitchin and they are pretty good. I have also used Northern Runner in Newcastle (wife comes from up that way) and they are also good (usually let you try the shoes on and run up and down the path outside).
Stu, yes they have. Click Here
"Link to Runners World" you come right back to this very thread. Famous or what!!
Can we ask for discount now for this recommendation ?