In the September 2026 edition, the Housewares Magazines team of mystery shoppers visited, and assessed, eight stores across Brighton.
HOLD, Bond Street (WINNING INDEPENDENT)
Established in 2019, HOLD is an independent lifestyle boutique that has a passion for sustainability, provenance and quality.
I was looking for lamps to sit on our bedside tables. Inside the store, I looked around the ground floor of the store, before heading up the stairs to the first floor showroom.
There were two lamp ranges that caught my eye.
The first range was the NOD Dimmable Table Lamp from Tiptoe, which was priced at £185, and available in six colours – ash pink, cloudy white, graphite black, majorelle blue, naples yellow and rosemary green.
Chris Hon, the manager of HOLD, said the lamps are designed to stand the test if time in terms of both functionality and style.
He added that with a culture of nurturing craftmanship at its heart, the French brand, from Haute-Savoie, has always insisted on 100 per cent European production.
I also liked the black Mush Mini table lamp, which was also priced at £185. Chris said the lamp is from Danish brand Hübsch.
Chris said that the lamp would be brilliant as a bedside table lamp.
Summary: Chris was great at talking about the products, and he’s passion and enthusiasm for them was infectious. The store was very well presented, and the ranges of products were beautifully curated in-store.
Sales skills: 5/5; Store presentation: 5/5
Total score: 10/10
Pro Cook, Churchill Square Shopping Centre, Russell Place (WINNING MULTIPLE)
The retailer first opened in Brighton in Ship Street in August 2019 but moved to this location on April 24, 2026.
I was looking for a new toaster for my recently refurbished kitchen. Inside the store, there were many toasters on display.
Dean approached me and asked if I needed any help. I explained that I had been bamboozled by the number of products on display and Dean recommended a product.
He explained that the stainless steel Long Slot toaster was idea for toasting sourdough bread or pitta breads. It was priced at £79.20 and Dean mentioned that the product was in the sale, with a 20 per cent discount based on its usual price.
As well as the two long slots, Dean said that the toaster offers seven browning settings, as well as defrost, reheat and cancel features.
He added that the toaster comes with a built-in crumb tray to leave your countertops looking pristine whilst being easy to empty.
Dean said that the sale price would last for another couple of weeks, and he added that the toaster comes with a two-year guarantee.
Summary: Dean did a great job and the two mentions of the sale price, and the guarantee were attempts to close the sale. The store was well presented and very well lit.
Sales skills: 5/5; Store presentation: 5/5
Total score: 10/10
Robert Dyas, Western Road
Robert Dyas has a long and fascinating history stemming back over 150 years; in 2012, the chain was bought by former Dragons’ Den investor, Theo Paphitis.
I was looking to buy my first air-fryer. Inside the store, I counted 13 air-fryers piled up/
Mark approached me and asked if I needed any help. He started by asking about my living situation and I said that I live with my wife and two teenage daughters. I explained that we had never had an air-fryer, so I was open to his recommendations.
Recognising that a family of four would need more capacity, he recommended a nine-litre model from PROCHEF (Double Drawer Air-Fryer), which was priced at £49.99, with a 65 per cent saving on the usual price.
Mark mentioned that the 2,000W power output and two independent drawers, allows for efficient meal preparation without the need for sequential cooking.
He also showed the removable trays that are designed for easy cleaning.
Summary: Mark did a good job. He listened to my needs and suggested a suitable product, but he did not attempt to close the sale. The store display of lots of stacks of products was not aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
Sales skills: 4/5; Store presentation: 4/5
Total score: 8/10
Søstrene Grene, Churchill Square Shopping Centre, Russell Place
The Danish retailer’s store is located between branches of New Look and Pro Cook.
I wanted to buy a small milk jug a ag gift for my mother’s upcoming big birthday. I had a walk around the store, before settling in front of the three jugs.
I thought that the two smaller jugs would be ideal. The lemon jug was priced at £4.94.
Helena approached me and asked if I needed any help. She explained that the lemon jug, which weighed 317g, was both food safe and microwave safe, but it could not be used in a microwave.
The second product was a strawberry jug, priced at £4.56. Helena said that, unlike the lemon jug, the strawberry jug could be used in a microwave, as well as being food safe and dishwasher safe.
Helena said that the strawberry jug weighs 500g and is made of stoneware, which brings a playful touch to the table.
As I continued to browse, I liked a larger jug that was in a similar area of the store. Priced at £14.68, the jug was both food safe and dishwasher safe.
Summary: Helena gave an overview of the two jugs but did not attempt to close the sale. The store was well presented.
Sales skills: 3/5; Store presentation: 5/5
Total score: 8/10
Bert’s Homestore, Kensington Gardens
Established in 2005, Bert’s Homestore operates three stores, with the other two being in George Street, Hove, and Montague Street, Worthing.
I was looking to buy some matching crockery sets. Inside the store, I couldn’t help but notice the Mikasa range of products. For a mid-week day, the store was a hive of activity.
The vibrant stoneware featured eye-catching patterns, which I thought would be perfect for everyday meals and special occasions.
I continued browsing the products and picking up to look at the design detail, which I though was very good.
The range, which was well displayed, featured a small bowl, side plate, mug and larger bowls, priced at £4.99, £6.99. £10.95 and £8.99 respectively.
The shelf edge information indicated that the products were both microwave and dishwasher safe.
The display I was looking at was adjacent to the till area, and I expected one of the two members of staff to come and speak to me, especially in a quiet store.
Summary: I was unable to assess the sales skills at this store; frustratingly, the store was very well presented, inside and out.
Sales skills: 0/5; Store presentation: 5/5
Total score: 5/10
Dunelm, Brighton Retail Park, Carden Avenue
This store is located on a small retail park, alongside branches of Argos and M&S Foodhall.
I was looking to buy a saucepan set for an upcoming wedding present. Inside the store, I headed to the first floor, which is where the cooking department is located.
There were three suitable three-pan sets on display. A premium looking Dunelm-branded set, priced at £48, included a 14cm milk pan, and 16cm and 18cm saucepans. The box stated that the pans feature double pouring lips and strainers, and they are suitable for all hob types. The box also referenced that the set comes with a 10-year guarantee.
The third set was from Scoville and was part of the brand’s Never Stick range. It featured 16cm, 18cm and 20cm saucepans and the box stated that the set is covered by a lifetime guarantee.
With no sign of an approach, I left the store.
Summary: I was unable to assess the sales skills at this store, as there were seemingly no staff on the first floor of the store. The store was well presented.
Sales skills: 0/5; Store presentation: 5/5
Total score: 5/10
Next, Churchill Square Shopping Centre, Russell Place
This store is located between branches of Victoria’s Secret and H Samuel.
The house we had just moved into was musty, so I was looking to clear the air.
I headed to the first floor of the store and on display were products from the Collection Luxe range.
The first product I looked at, and smelt, was New York, priced at £22. The box indicated that each diffuser lasts for up to nine weeks. New York was described as ‘a radiant, white floral fragrance with elegant jasmine and sun-kissed orange blossom’.
The back of the box said that the reed diffuser is an ideal solution to fragrance any room in your home. The diffuser came with reeds and two 85ml fragrance oils.
The second product, Antigua, was also priced at £22.
Th box indicated that the fragrance was ‘a tropical fruity aroma that blends juicy mango with sun-drenched papaya and fresh pineapple’.
A member of staff was standing behind the counter but did not approach me.
Summary: I was unable to assess the sales skills at this store. A big gripe I have is where staff don’t come and ask customers if they want any help; the store was presented well.
Sales skills: 0/5; Store presentation: 5/5
Total score: 5/10
TK Maxx, North Street
This large store – which opened on June 27, 2013 – is located at the junction of North Street and Ship Street.
I was looking to buy a salt and pepper mill set. Inside the store, I took the lift to the first floor as the escalator was not working.
It took me a while to find the mills, but when I found the display, there were three sets on display that looked ideal.
The first set, from Salter, was priced at £19.99. The box indicated that the mills can be controlled electronically and they also feature adjustable grinders.
The second set was from Dartington and priced at £14.99. According to the information on the box, the products feature a built-in light, and each mill requires 4 x 1.5V AA batteries.
The third set was from Taylor’s Eye Witness and priced at £19.99/ The box contained limited information but stated that the mills feature adjustable ceramic grinders.
With no sign of any approach, I left the store.
Summary: I was unable to assess the sales skills at this store; the in-store signage was poor.
Sales skills: 0/5; Store presentation: 4/5
Total score: 4/10
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