Will Shops Listen to Mary Portas?
Mary Portas tackles shoddy customer service in her new series but tells TV Choice that consumers only have themselves to blame.
LONDON, ENGLAND, January 12, 2011
Retail guru Mary was shocked after investigating the standard of service in Britain's high streets shops for Mary Portas: Secret Shopper.'It's gobsmacking how badly customers are treated! In my view, 90 per cent of shops treat their customers poorly,' says Mary.
'We're meant to be a nation of shopkeepers, but we seem to have lost the skills. And, as customers, we're almost as much to blame because we put up with it.'
Also in this week's TV Choice, Gavin & Stacey star Ruth Jones plays Carry On actress Hattie Jacques. Sophie Ward previews the new series of WWII drama Land Girls, while Michael Chiklis of The Shield and Fantastic Four fame has a family with superpowers in No Ordinary Family.
Caterina Murino, who was a Bond girl in Casino Royale with Daniel Craig, chats about her latest role alongside Rufus Sewell in Zen. Meanwhile, David Mitchell talks about teaming up with Charlie Brooker, Lauren Laverne, and Jimmy Carr for their live topical comedy show.
A Roman villa is built from scratch using original methods in Rome Wasn't Built In A Day, while the secretive world of travellers comes under the spotlight in Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.
In the soaps, Nick plots to get Peter drinking again, while Connor is brutally attacked in EastEnders. Cain confronts Jai over Charity in Emmerdale, and Brendan is desperate to keep his true sexuality from Warren in Hollyoaks. Simon makes an announcement about his future in Doctors. Rebecca's torn between two lovers in Neighbours, and Penn's body is washed up on the beach in Home And Away.
There are also four Butlins LazyTown family breaks to be won in this week's great TV Choice competition.
Launched in 1999 TV Choice has fast become the essential companion to the UK's favourite past-time, with TV listings for all major terrestrial and digital channels. Now the UK's biggest selling consumer magazine, TV Choice sells over 1.3 million copies per week.