
+ What was the last purchase you were excited about, and why?
I got a tailor made suit from Working Style. For the first time ever, I actually look forward to occasions where I might wear a light blue suit.
+ Can you tell me about a retail experience you’ve had that was exciting or interesting?
While attempting to buy lingerie for my wife, the staff at this particular store seemed quite insistent on showcasing/modelling each design themselves. I left confused but with more items than I had planned on purchasing.
+ What was your worst retail experience?
While ‘just browsing’ at a pet store I was bitten by a guinea pig and urinated on by a puppy. Actually, I think the guinea pig urinated on me as well, then my eftpos card got declined while purchasing dog biscuits.
+ Tell me about a purchase that solved a problem for you.
I purchased a bungy cord device for swimming in the home pool. I no longer had any excuses for not using the pool for fitness.
+ Can you think of any item or service that would be useful to you but doesn’t exist yet?
A service where somebody with the exact same build as you, tries on all the clothes you are interested in while on a shopping spree. I hate trying on clothes.
+ What’s an item that you’re planning on buying soon?
A new HD television camera, or a new Gibson electric guitar.
+ What’s your favourite store?
The Rock Shop on K Road. I often find myself buying things I don’t need and hardly ever use. Mid-life crisis type items, like electric guitars and recording equipment that could be used to make my non-existent greatest hits album. Perhaps I will call it Deluded.
This story was originally published in NZ Retail magazine issue 739, August / September 2015.