Daniel Department Store

After being let down by a local model shop, I turned to the internet for my son’s Christmas present. I was able to order my chosen model plane from Daniel’s almost £20 cheaper than I expected to pay. Delivery was prompt and free. When I phoned to enquire about possible delivery times I was given exact details from a very helpful lady who went out of her way to track the package for me. An excellent level of service throughout.

Anyone who has visited or shopped in windsor knows Daniels, it has been here for years and has a massive selection in a pleasant surroundings, the staff are all well knowledged and extremely helpful. The toy section is a favorite of my family.

Every town in the UK should have a ‘Daniel’ and we, the Windsor residents, consider ourselves very lucky in these days of grab-​all that we do have one. The store has a mix of everything one could wish for and the coffee bar serves the best pastries beating the French at their own game: the franchisee is French I know but still. wish we had one as good in our other home in Vernet les Bains! Long live Daniel!

I agree with the tag ‘21^st Century Grace Brothers’. The stuff they sell can be quite eclectic, but despite this their larger departments are very well stocked, especially the children’s toys. People use the ground floor as a shortcut from one part of Windsor to the other, contributing to a somewhat tacky market-​place feel. If you venture further to the larger departments on other floors, their layout rarely changes, contributing to a feeling of inertia and repitition.
As a customer, however, I like the way Daniel’s don’t fleece me every Christmas by getting me lost then distracting me to buy this year’s trendy thing, like that pashmina sweater for my sister or that pair of crocs for my niece. I realise that these days you are either squeezing every penny out of the customer, or you are history. So I would urge you to take a visit to Daniel’s before their long-​predicted, but so far unrealised, demise at the altar of competition.

This place is Grace brothers in the 21^st Century. It might be worth a visit for entertainment purposes otherwise I would avoid it and go to nearby Fenwicks which is what Daniels aspires to be quote there from one of their managers. In your dreams!
They have tried several times to update this store and have expanded it over the years taking over neighbouring shops in the process but its still the same numptys running it.
They’re not very nice numptys either. As well as running it like it was 50 years ago they try and use the same employment practices from a by-​gone era and treat their staff appalingly. I know many people who work/​have worked there. Their latest trick is to employ migrant workers as they won’t know what their rights are. They really should close the door when having management meetings!
I know that quite a few staff have joined a Trade Union to try and protect themselves.
If you happen to be in the shop at 1730 closing time you will observe all the staff having to stand on a mat y their tills, even those who run concessions!
You’re not allowed to move off the mat until the bell goes and then the allocated person has to proceed upstairs and queue up to deposit the takings, including the concessions. Your not paid for this priviledge, this is all in your own time.
Whatever you do don’t move off that mat until the bell goes!
Funny? This is only the half of it!

Daniels is a really great department store. Unlike debenhams and other pricier stores, Daniels has a great range of both inexpensive to expensive products. Not only that but it has a great toy floor. The clothes stores are the usual Warehouse, TopShop and alike which are priced as expected. The good thing is that the sections are kept very tidy and you do not have to rummage. On top of this there is a good mens section and also a great jewellery and tie section. Again the prices vary. This is one of those stores where you could buy nearly everything — it also sells seasonal chocolate such as easter eggs, and a vast array of pretty cards.
Its main attraction though — and i always go when i visit Windsor even though i have no children — is the toy floor. It has every single toy imaginable — some small and cheap and some large and expensive. From rocking horses and life size bears to the biggest range of lego its all here. There is even a fancy dress section. While in windsor, visit and satisfy the kid in you! It is located either from the front entrance on Peascod street or from the back near the train station (down the steps at HA! Ha! bar)