Each week we look at two shops competing in the same sector, and review what they are offering customers: from how helpful the staff are, to the best bargains currently on offer.
Our review will be based on a visit to stores on the same high street, or online, so it will be just a snapshot of how the retailer is performing.
In order to get a better idea of which retailers are delivering and which are falling short, we would like you to tell us about your experiences of the same shops.
Some weeks, both stores we visit may do a good job, other weeks there will be one that stands out as being much better or worse. Your reviews will help us discover if this is a trend.
This week, we've visited sports retailers Sports Direct and Decathlon. Please continue to tell us which stores you would like us to go to.
Sports Direct
Background Mike Ashley established the business in 1982, and was the sole owner until the company floated in 2007. As of April 2011 Sports Direct had about 500 stores in the retail group (393 in the UK), including Sports Direct, Sports World, Field & Trek and Lilywhites. It has a number of group-own brands including Dunlop, Slazenger, Kangol, Karrimor and Lonsdale.
The visit 11.40am, 1 June, Lakeside retail park, West Thurrock, Essex.
What it sells Sporting equipment.
First impressions Located in a busy retail park with ample parking, the shop took advantage of the pavement with baskets of balls, umbrellas and bikes outside the entrance. Usually I criticise retailers for obscuring views inside the shop with whitened windows, but in Sports Direct's case it was probably a wise move. The first thing that hits you as you enter is the huge stack of goods and a mass of discount signs.
What were the staff like? Very helpful, telling me the benefits of the various thermal base layers they sell.
Best bargain Two Nike, Adidas or Puma T-shirts for £18.
What does it charge? Gunn & Moore purist pro cricket helmet, £27.99; basic tennis ball, 39p; Nike pro combat short-sleeve base layer, £16.99; water bottle, £1.99.
Where can I pay? There are several tills at the back of the store on both floors, each with about a two-minute wait.
Is loyalty rewarded? No.
Lasting impressions I struggled with the layout over two floors. There are three different areas for trainers, three places for base layers, and men's clothing on both floors. Gangways are non-existent, so to get anywhere you have to squeeze through the rails of clothing.
However, the shop does have bargains. It also covers a lot of sports, although some in not much depth: it only has nods towards bikes, tents (this store incorporates Field & Trek) and cricket gear, for example. If you want a T-shirt or trainers, though, you have plenty of choice.
The changing rooms were also on full view to the rest of the store and had doors that only hid the middle of your body, exposing in most cases people's heads and lower legs, definitely not encouraging me to try before buying.
Overall rating 6/10.
Decathlon
Background Decathlon was founded by Michel Leclerq in northern France in 1976, and now operates in excess of 500 stores in more than 15 countries (with 12 in the UK), and has about 50,000 employees. It stocks equipment and clothing for more than 70 sports and is part of the Oxylane network that has own brands including Kipsta and Quechua.
The visit 10.50am, 1 June, Tunnel Estate retail park, West Thurrock.
What it sells Sporting equipment.
First impressions Set on a retail park, but with its own car park, the external displays are impressive with kayaks, tents and table tennis tables welcoming you, though in this instance it is a shame the shop's windows are whitened out to prevent you seeing inside. The waft of new trainers hits you as you walk in the store, and with its high ceilings it feels more like a meticulously kept warehouse than a shop. Discreet changing rooms were at the end of a couple of the aisles, with a curtain to pull around while trying on clothes.
What were the staff like? Friendly and knowledgeable, with one staff member talking to me about getting started in fishing and suggesting different rods, and ending by saying "Come back if you need more info, we're here to help."
Best bargain Startech archery kit for juniors, £49.99.
What does it charge? Gunn & Moore purist pro cricket helmet, £29.99; Artengo 720 basic tennis ball, 79p; Kipsta base layer, £12.99; water bottle, £1.99.
Where can I pay? There are several tills and a customer service area at the entrance with no queuing.
Is loyalty rewarded? Yes, the Decathlon loyalty card earns you five points for every purchase you make, plus two points for every £1 spent. Earning 300 points gains you a £3 voucher.
Lasting impressions The shop is very spacious allowing you to see bigger equipment out of its box. On display are treadmills, tents, bikes, roller blades, a couple of aisles with fishing equipment and more besides. The stock was well kept with not a trainer or tennis ball out of place, and the various sports disciplines logically laid out. I liked the affordable sports starter kits, such as the archery for juniors with an explanatory video showing alongside, and a freshwater fishing kit for about £20.
Decathlon is a proper sports shop, taking a discipline and delivering variety and depth at a reasonable price – a far cry from Sports Direct, where I loved the prices but would dodge through the store grabbing cheap tops, tracksuit bottoms and good priced, quality trainers before leaving at the earliest opportunity for fear of drowning in a tidal wave of tumbling T-shirts and cascading Karrimor sandals.
Overall rating 8/10.
Last week
It was a clear win for Fortnum & Mason when we pitted it against rival high-end department store Harrods, winning 54% of the vote against 24%.
Some readers had happy memories of visiting Harrods. duhjapan said:
"When I was 11 or 12, I visited Harrods and decided to buy a pencil. As I was about to pay, a 'posh' lady in furs stepped in and started to ask the young employee at the till a question. He told her that he'd help her as soon as he'd served me. She got very uppity – insisted that she was there before me, then insisted that she was more important than me. He stood his ground. I got my pencil and she stormed off to see a manager or something.
"These days, if I find myself at the airport in need of a last minute gift and I'm stunned at the price of a tin of Harrods tea, I think back to that incident and figure it's worth it."
But on the whole, Fortum's was deemed better for food. BiN1 said:
"I would happily die (well, not really) for Fortnum's Earl Grey Tea. Damn good sausages as well. As for Harrods, that's just for tourists. Their Earl Grey sucks as well."
CliffordChallenger, meanwhile, said:
"On my last visit to Harrods I thought the food products were extremely disappointing, regardless of the price. Fortnums may be expensive but the preserves are really nice and good for an occasional treat. That said, being in Yorkshire I'll go to Fodder or Betty's for my luxury foodstuffs – generally better and less of a rip-off."
Several commenters questioned our choice of shops – please do keep suggesting places we can compare. We have previously visited independent grocers and are open to suggestions of different retailers to try out.
Let us know which of today's retailers you favour, or if you aren't a fan of either or think another offers better choice or prices.
