Boots

When faced with a big shop which I have not a clue when anything is I grab the nearest assistant and get them to help me shop. Did this here and bless him he was very patient and was able to answer any questions and the questions he was unable to answer he went off to get the answer.
Full marks for the staff patience.

This is, no question about it, just a regular Boots. The place you go for shampoo, deodorant and cotton wool balls. Hardly the most exciting of retail experiences, but an essential piece of the high street.
When I lived in New Zealand, I really noticed the lack of Boots; instead there was Life Pharmacy, which was full of saleswomen trying to sell you soap and feijoa scented hand-​cream. So I have a new appreciation for the Boots franchise. In fact, the first thing I did upon my return was go to Boots in Heathrow Arrivals… but that was more to do with having run out of toothpaste a week before in Vietnam… anyway.
Recently I had a bit of a medical emergency, and the staff at this Boots in Penarth were fantastically helpful. I went in with some of the more severe toothache of my life (says the lady of 5 root canals), and tearfully asked for their strongest painkillers.
Soon I was pumped full of codeine and the world looked awfully bright and cheery again. Thank you Boots.

For a local Boots store I was in fact rather impressed by this particular branch. Outside of the city centre and the retail parks, this is one of the biggest Boots branches I’ve been to, and I must say I rather envy Penarth locals.
As Tiffany mentioned the make up selection isn’t exactly great if you’re after high end brands, but unless I’m mistaken they seem to stock all of the cheaper brands such as Maxfactor, Rimmel, Maybeline, Natural Collection etc. and they even have a boots counter.
I was also rather impressed by their perfume selection, which was incredibly extensive and had some really high end brands (unlike my local boots, where impulse body spray is the best you’ll get).
They have a wide range of the usual products you’d find in a good pharmacy, such as shampoos, toothpastes, plasters, cleansing products, and so much more.
I have to agree with Tiffany’s opinion of the electronical selection. I was rather impressed (and surprised) that they stocked a variety of straightners, epilators, electronic tooth brushes and hairdryers which you’d usually have to make a trip into town to purchase.
My one down note in this review, is that the store is rather dated, in fact it rather reminds me of Boots stores from around 10 years ago, so I think a little bit of refurbishment would work wonders.

I have to say, this little branch of boots saved me hundreds of times when I worked near by. Around Christmas time It becomes absolutely full of gift sets which seem to take up every inch of available shelf space.
The pharmacy section is quite big and the staff are really very clued up and friendly, they also offer a repeat prescription service here and it’s well placed near all of the main Doctors surgeries.
Make up selection is quite lackluster but there is a genuinely good range of electrical goods considering how small the store is.

Just a regular Boots store I’m afraid but I’m going to review it as the staff are so helpful here. I have had many healthcare queries here and have only ever experienced excellent care and professionalism, particularly from the pharmacist. The store itself has recently had an overhaul and is now free from a lumpy bumpy floor that was slightly hazzardous in the baby items aisle.
It is a medium sized store which is always fully stocked and has a good range of gift products. My only complaint would be the fact that the Advantage point machine in the entrance never seems to be working (although I believe this to be quite a common problem within Boots!).