Stores | Scores* | Why we liked them | Nobody's perfect, so, if only... | |
1 | Smart Set Seen in malls coast-to-coast; specializes in youthful, stylish, women's work, rest and play wear | 85.83% | "The clerk was so good...she knew all of the clothes in the store and exactly where to find them. She actually served two of us at the same time." | "the change areas had elbow room." |
2 | Naturalizer The last word in comfy footwear | 83.67% | "The sales rep brought me every single shoe she had in a size 10." | "the chairs were as comfortable as the shoes." |
3 | Athletes World Teen spirit galore featuring trendy athletic footwear and sports fashions | 82.40% | "The clerk told me the original price and the sale price of the same shoe. Then when I bought them, he tied up the laces for me." | "it didn't have walls of TVs playing along with the radio." |
4 | Northern Traditions Dressy sportswear for the conservative woman | 81.50% | "All of the store's space was utilized very well and there was even enough room to get a stroller through the aisles." | "the selection could be better. I wish it had skirts of different lengths." |
5 | GNC A new arrival to these charts--purveyor of vitamins, minerals and supplements | 80.83% | "My clerk made me feel that anything I asked her about, she would give me the right answer." | "it found some way of clearly explaining why one type of vitamin B12 is better than the 10 other types of B12." |
6 | Foot Locker Sports shoes, sports shoes and more sports shoes; socks and track pants, too | 78.86% | "The best part was the store's distinct women's and men's sides. TVs were playing men's and women's sports on the appropriate sides." | "there were more employees working at peak times." |
7 | Claire's Fashion accessories suitable for special occasions and everyday wear | 77.71% | "The clerk stayed within my price range. I bought the thing I was secretly shopping for and a pair of earrings for myself." | "all of the non-hygienic and sale items weren't non-refundable...what if something breaks?" |
8 | Glidden Paints Litres and metres of home wallcoverings | 76.20% | "The clerk explained step-by-step how my product worked. I walked out with a smile on my face because I'd received such valuable information." | "it wasn't set up for commercial and industrial clients rather than for someone who wants to paint the back porch." |
9 | Roots Classy clothes for the whole family; some locations also sell leather goods and home accessories | 76.17% | "You walk in, someone says hi and makes you feel very comfortable. Plus with all the Canadian stuff, there's a good feeling about the place." | "cotton sweatshirts didn't cost the same amount as wool sweaters." |
10 | a) The Body Shop More than 600 bath, body, makeup, hair and skin-care products; none tested on animals | 76.00% | "I told the clerk that I wanted a gift basket and she took me to that section. Then she gathered up all of the demos shown in the basket for me to smell." | "the store wasn't so cluttered. There are too many things to look at." |
b) Nutrition House Vitamin, bodybuilding and protein supplements | 76.00% | "The sales clerk pointed out something I wasn't aware of. I didn't know I was already getting vitamin B in my multivitamins." | "the store had better descriptions of the products to make it easier to help yourself." | |
c) Transit Value-priced shoes, boots and handbags | 76.00% | "The clerk was alone in the store, running between two of us, but I still got excellent service. It turned out the other customer was the clerk's mother!" | "you could fit a baby stroller or cart in the store." |
Subscribe to our newsletters for our very best stories, recipes, style and shopping tips, horoscopes and special offers.