Mary Portas: Secret Shopper

Series 1 | Episode 2 | CSL Sofas

Mary Portas

Mary Portas goes undercover in the world of sofa superstores, revealing an industry that puts sales commission - and not shoppers - first.

We've all seen the adverts for Bank Holiday sofa sales, but do the superstores really offer a good deal? Mary's covert cameras reveal the sales techniques well-known superstores use to persuade customers to buy.

Mary is invited onto the premises of CSL Sofas, a northern chain run by Bentley-driving, go-getter Jason Tyldesley. Almost as soon as she's through the doors, Mary deftly picks apart Jason's idea of customer service, tears up his price-match promise and takes in hand his Rotherham store, along with its team of raucous sales guys.

If she can prove her novel ideas work, Jason is willing to put his hand in his pocket and roll Mary's ideas out across his chain.

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Clips from Episode 2

On TV

First Shown

Date Time Channel
Wednesday 26 January 2011 9PM Channel 4

Last Shown

Date Time Channel
Wednesday 26 January 2011 9PM Channel 4

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