Matalan - any good?

Hezzawithkids

I'v recently started working in a new office smack in the middle of a trading estate and just down the road is a Matalan store.

I've never shopped there before so I was wondering what MSEs think of it?

I am a bit of a fan of cheap/discount clothing (especailly for kids stuff as they wear or grow out of things so fast, or for summer holidays when you just need a supply of cheap t-shirts etc) like Primark, Asda/George, Costco etc - though feeling a little stab of conscience these days ref fair trading vs cheap fashion

A quick look around during my lunch break today and it looks okay - nicely displayed (unlike George at sale time and Primark any time) , good selection, reasonably priced.

Anyone shop there regularly? Any feedback?

I also noticed adverts for a free Membership card - what's that all about then?

Thanks chaps!!!

adandem

When Matalan first openend I loved it, then I went off it. However, Primark has recently openend by us and I think Matalan is better than Primark. I have noticed a marked difference in the quality, much better and still very good value. (Really gone off Primark atm!)
Undies and nightwear are very good, I've also bought other clothing and homewares and towels etc. and have been very happy.I also buy OH's work shirts from there and they are excellent value.

The membership card is just so that they can trace transactions etc.and mail you leaflets.

andyrules

I thought the card was a requirement as they are a discount type store - but might be wrong. They do seem obsessed that they give you a temporary card even if you forget yours.

Quality wise - not bad on own brands, very good value. They sell some branded goods which obviously are the usual quality for the brand and at a good price.

Their sales are fab - ridiculous prices:D

Fibabe

You need a Matalan card to get the card holder discounts that they have on once a month. If you give them your email address at the tills they email you money off vouchers sometimes too.

The quality is better than primark, but a little bit more expensive. The homeware is fab.

The next sale will be sometime in July by the way.

5and1e

I've shopped at Matalan for years, and its great; quality is good as is price.
I must give them my email address, as I've never had an offers or vouchers.

turtlemoose

I'm a big fan of Matalan...even though a lot of the stuff is a bit crappy, you can get some real bargains if you are prepared to look at EVERY rail (and i am!!)

But...best of all......try to find a Matalan Clearance Store....oh my god it's amazing!! I went for the first time at the weekend, everything is dirt cheap anyway (many items £1 or 50p) but mine (wolverhampton) was also having a bogof on EVERYTHING in store! I bought the following items:
1 x pair mens jeans
1 x pair mens khaki combat type trousers
1 x ladies smart suit jacket
1 x ladies t shirt
2 x pairs ladies shorts
1 x scarf
1 x hat

Total price?? £8.50 :T

Another thing that was good at the clearance store - they let you split your items in to two transactions, because it's the lowest value item that is free. So, I paid for the mens jeans and the suit jacket together, as they were both £5, but bogof so total price £5. Then the rest of the stuff was all either £1 or 50p so bought that all together for £3.50.

santashelper_2

How do you find our if where clearance shops are

andyrules

santashelper wrote: »

How do you find our if where clearance shops are

Here

:D:D:D:D:D
I'm not the Cheshire cat -message too short!!

adandem

Fibabe wrote: »

You need a Matalan card to get the card holder discounts that they have on once a month. .

I've had a Matalan card for a number of years and never received these?
Only info. on current promos. which apply to everyone

amandada

I lurve Matalan-sometimes it can be a bit hit or miss but on the whole it's pretty bloomin good!
We were the Matalan family on holiday last year:D

Premier_2

Hezzawithkids wrote: »

...I also noticed adverts for a free Membership card - what's that all about then?...

When Matalan first started up in the UK, they operated as a private members only discount club. Membership cards were £1.00 each and entry was was only allowed to members.

I believe this entitled Matalan to operate under less stringent operating conditions (i.e. cheaper overheads). I'm not exactly sure what these were but heard at the time it perhaps related to planning permission (non-retail as they were not open to the geneal public) or safety precautions (no fire sprinklers installed as again, not open to the general public)

As time progressed, and perhaps legal regulations changed, the store allowed entry to anyone for viewing purposes, but only cardholders could actually purchase anything. The £1.00 charge for the membership card was dropped roughly about the same time, as was the requirement for a photograph of the cardholder on the card.

The last time I went into my local store, I saw signs saying no membership card was now necessary to shop at Matalan, although I would admit the first thing the cashier said to me was the usual "Do you have your Matalan card please?"

adandem wrote:

I've had a Matalan card for a number of years and never received these?
Only info. on current promos. which apply to everyone

Me too. Infact my card is one of the early ones I had to pay for and includes my photo. I've never received any 'members only' special offers since the store changed allowing the general public to purchase items.

I think the membership card now is used more like a loyalty card (but without any loyalty points, etc). It allows Matalan to store information about their customers and monitor their individual buying habits perhaps to target more specific marketing material to individual customers, but any offers they advertise do seem available to everyone.