Holland & Barrett Opinions (UK only)

they're good for foods for people who are allergic to stuff, e.g. dairy free sweets and stuff, plus vegan foods. I'm not into supplements really though, and they're quite expensive (or they were back when I lived in the UK which was a few years ago now)

I used to like them back when I was vegetarian but am put off that they insist on selling homeopathy products

They can be quite expensive, it's a nice place for me to pick up a few things for people who are allergic to dairy/wheat etc.

they're good for foods for people who are allergic to stuff, e.g. dairy free sweets and stuff, plus vegan foods. I'm not into supplements really though, and they're quite expensive (or they were back when I lived in the UK which was a few years ago now)

This is a really positive spin on it, so yes they do have a good function.

However, the majority of their products don't do a damn thing, and are for people with more money than sense.

Innocent people will come into the shop seeking health advice. It will be your job to openly rob these people by lying to them and selling them junk that will have no effect.

My experience is that, even though I try to save the staff from embarrassment by saying I'm just looking, they will still insist on trying to 'educate' me on their products effects.

Ha, you beat me to it. Pretty much all of this.

they're good for foods for people who are allergic to stuff, e.g. dairy free sweets and stuff, plus vegan foods. I'm not into supplements really though, and they're quite expensive (or they were back when I lived in the UK which was a few years ago now)

This is a really positive spin on it, so yes they do have a good function.

However, the majority of their products don't do a damn thing, and are for people with more money than sense.

Innocent people will come into the shop seeking health advice. It will be your job to openly rob these people by lying to them and selling them junk that will have no effect.

My experience is that, even though I try to save the staff from embarrassment by saying I'm just looking, they will still insist on trying to 'educate' me on their products effects.

While I agree with what you are saying, you could say that about almost all companies. Gas, energy, oil companies get a ridiculous profit on most of their 'products'. The same goes for other supplement companies, coffee companies and clothing companies (and in fact, there was an article in the BBC about workers in Bangladesh protesting about wanting an increase in their wages: to around £68 a month!)

OP; do not feel bad about working for H&B, everyone has to have a job. I think their products are overpriced, but so are book stores, for the same book on Amazon new or in great condition would be much cheaper. I think the approach you are taking here is very creative so play on your strength here. Rather than tell your interviewers about the people saying how much more expensive the products are, find out a reason why. A reason that will impress your future employer. For example, one reason why their products are more expensive than some online retailers is because they provide a local service for people on the high street. The same people who want to buy the clothes in store, the same people who want to buy their books in store. It provides an experience where the customer has a chance to talk to a person rather than look at a computer screen. They are able to get advice (regardless of what we think of a salesperson's advice) instead of having to read through hundreds of articles online about which products to get, many of which give information which is conflicting.

Good luck with your interview. Remember to dress appropriately and greet your interviewer with enthusiasm.

My experience is that, even though I try to save the staff from embarrassment by saying I'm just looking, they will still insist on trying to 'educate' me on their products effects.

Thanks for your views, like I said I was after the bad as well as the good.

I am just a bit confused about your last comment......if you know the stuff they sell has no effect what are you "just looking" for in the shop?

I didn't say all of the stuff has no effect. Some of the stuff I would actually buy if it wasn't 5 times the price I can get it for.

As someone who advises in weight loss, nutrition and supplementation, I have to know what is available, what is being sold, and what is being claimed.
It takes a lot longer for someone to disprove a theory than it does for someone to come up with one and sell a product based on it.

I don't believe in taking supplements as they are a waste of money but H&B are good for organic-type foods that are otherwise not available or very expensive in normal supermarkets. I buy flax seeds in there as they are about 20% cheaper than Sainsurys/Tescos.

However the staff in my local branch are a bit sullen and unhelpful.

Good luck with the job!

they're good for foods for people who are allergic to stuff, e.g. dairy free sweets and stuff, plus vegan foods. I'm not into supplements really though, and they're quite expensive (or they were back when I lived in the UK which was a few years ago now)

This is a really positive spin on it, so yes they do have a good function.

However, the majority of their products don't do a damn thing, and are for people with more money than sense.

Innocent people will come into the shop seeking health advice. It will be your job to openly rob these people by lying to them and selling them junk that will have no effect.

My experience is that, even though I try to save the staff from embarrassment by saying I'm just looking, they will still insist on trying to 'educate' me on their products effects.

This. I used to manage two H&B stores and this is true.

they're good for foods for people who are allergic to stuff, e.g. dairy free sweets and stuff, plus vegan foods. I'm not into supplements really though, and they're quite expensive (or they were back when I lived in the UK which was a few years ago now)

This is a really positive spin on it, so yes they do have a good function.

However, the majority of their products don't do a damn thing, and are for people with more money than sense.

Innocent people will come into the shop seeking health advice. It will be your job to openly rob these people by lying to them and selling them junk that will have no effect.

My experience is that, even though I try to save the staff from embarrassment by saying I'm just looking, they will still insist on trying to 'educate' me on their products effects.

While I agree with what you are saying, you could say that about almost all companies. Gas, energy, oil companies get a ridiculous profit on most of their 'products'. The same goes for other supplement companies, coffee companies and clothing companies (and in fact, there was an article in the BBC about workers in Bangladesh protesting about wanting an increase in their wages: to around £68 a month!)

OP; do not feel bad about working for H&B, everyone has to have a job. I think their products are overpriced, but so are book stores, for the same book on Amazon new or in great condition would be much cheaper. I think the approach you are taking here is very creative so play on your strength here. Rather than tell your interviewers about the people saying how much more expensive the products are, find out a reason why. A reason that will impress your future employer. For example, one reason why their products are more expensive than some online retailers is because they provide a local service for people on the high street. The same people who want to buy the clothes in store, the same people who want to buy their books in store. It provides an experience where the customer has a chance to talk to a person rather than look at a computer screen. They are able to get advice (regardless of what we think of a salesperson's advice) instead of having to read through hundreds of articles online about which products to get, many of which give information which is conflicting.

Good luck with your interview. Remember to dress appropriately and greet your interviewer with enthusiasm.

When I buy fuel, I know it will do what it says, and I'll know very quickly if it does not.

When I buy a book, I know what I'm getting and I'll know quickly if what I receive cannot be read or contains no words.

When you buy herbals you are getting a lot of 'may help with's and 'could be beneficial's. 90% of it is bunk.

My experience is that, even though I try to save the staff from embarrassment by saying I'm just looking, they will still insist on trying to 'educate' me on their products effects.

Yep, this is how it is everytime I visit my local H&B.

However I do go there regularly as they do stock some vegetarian/vegan foods that are hard to find elsewhere, as well as other less easy to find foods such as coconut oil and large tubs of whole earth peanut butter, chia seeds, etc. When they have special offers on many of their products are good value (they recently had one line of protein bars buy 1 get 2 free), even though they are not competitive with online retailers when selling full-priced goods.

It would be good if my store had someone more knowledgeable on sports nutrition and supplements as the staff at my store are usually just pushing pointless vitamins and minerals.

The reward card is good for regular customers - they send money off vouchers every few months in the same way Tesco do.

I do get annoyed when they try and push their magazine on my at the counter everytime I buy something.

Don't be mad at the staff for that. They are forced by the manager, who in turn is forced by head office. But don't feel too sorry for them either, they are SPIFed.