Just the same as "TJ Maxx" in the States, we have TK Maxx over here. They sell the same stuff, some…read moreoverpriced and some quite reasonable. I was able to pick up a jumper ('sweater' in American) and browse through some of the other menswear. Some fashionable, some quite picked over. There are also the usual other departments you would expect in a department store - shoes, women's clothing, boys and girls, gifts and housewares. Paying for your purchase is always a bit of a challenge, especially in a country that doesn't really have a service industry. A few tills ('registers'), but always a queue ('line'). There are a few good bargains here and there, but a lot of it is crap. It's all up to you and your fashion sense.

A few years ago you wouldn't have seen me dead in this place. However, I have to grudgingly admit…read morethat the range of clothing and household goods are staggering and the prices even more so. Be prepared to battle with every chav that Reading possesses as you wade through all the clothing chucked on the floor. And be prepared to queue for a very long time at the check-out. All said and done though, you will get some serious bargains here.

Absolutely cannot stand this shop - full of very overpriced cheap looking tat. Stuff's usually all…read moreover the floor and there's never any room to move due to the appalling layout of the place.

i think claires is a great shop if your going out and you want to look nice and you can also get…read moreyour ears peirces there!

I like New Look clothes. Especially the shoes…read more dreams of shoes Usually though, I hate New Look customer service. In the past it's been pretty awful, with those on the tills either ignoring you or chatting away to the person on the till next to them. I've even been served in the past by someone who bitched about the last customer to her manager while I was standing there. Classy. But the last time I went in, the customer service couldn't have been better. I couldn't find my size in a pair of shoes, and one customer service assistant asked if she could help. She ended up not only running upstairs for me to get the shoes in my size, but also bringing me an alternative option. The staff in the changing rooms were friendly and helpful, and the tills were efficient and chatty. Also, the changing rooms were clean and look so much better since the revamp. Not sure whether they've had a visit from Mary Portas, but it's great to see such a positive change in customer service.

New Look located in the Oracle does have a lot of choice and all at good prices. The seperate…read moresections ie.evening wear, work wear, shoes, jewellery and bags etc makes it a lot easier to find just what you need. The staff are always helpful and polite and the changing rooms are spacious which makes shopping there a good experience!

Wonderful service by Shariff and his dad is a lovely character too!…read moreHad an urgent request to fix a heavy duty camera bag for the Goodwood Car Festival. Shariff was open and honest about the cost and quality of the repair so I didn't expect too much BUT he managed to turn it around within a few hours and it looks wonderful, like nothing was wrong with it. Really impressed with the service, speed and quality of work. The response time is great and really helped me in a bind. Lovely family run business, would definitely recommend.

From the owner: Established in 1984, we are proud to offer our quality range and in-depth knowledge to help you…read morechoose the perfect bag for any occasion.

Massive department store on Reading's high street, John Lewis has everything. No cheap knock-offs…read morehere, it's all name brands and it's all expensive. Similar in theme to Macy's or Dillard's or Bloomingdale's in the States, the John Lewis department store is carved up into various sections for menswear, ladieswear, boys, girls, housewares, electronics, jewelry, perfumes and more. Very good service, which is what you are paying for. The electronics department includes televisions, radios and computers, priced at what I think are above PC World and Argos prices. All that said, it's a lovely store and a pleasant shopping experience. If I ever win the lottery, this is where I will blow most of my winnings.

I like John Lewis and the Reading store is one of my favourite destinations…read more Until last Saturday when the shop staff made me feel like a criminal. I was looking at their Xmas decorations along with other shoppers. First I noticed one shop assistant shadowing my every step then i went to look at the table settings and another assistant tailing me again. I looked around several times at the other shoppers and none of them appeared to be receiving the same dogged attention. This continued even after I purchased some items and moved to the cooking utensils. As the only black female on the shop floor, I left the store feeling harassed and victimised. I am still upset reliving the horrible experience. I will not be visiting again for the foreseeable future.

This store is slightly bigger than your average Claires and so is way less crowded, thank god…read more There is actually room to move between the hanging stands of jewellery and it is still relatively well stocked, in quite a nice location in the second of Readings indoor shopping centres. They do ear piercings and the staff seem to be well trained and always friendly.

the manger Mark discriminates are targets people with hidden dissbilities. He banned me just…read morebecause I was struggling a lot and lashed out In his shop due to my learning disability and keeps calling the police for no reason when im either standing outside or if I'm clumsy and accidentally drop my drink. seems like if you have a hidden dissability he's going to get you arrested because he hates people with hidden or learning disabilitys. . I've got my own issues going on and he keeps targeting me

Toy shop on the Reading high street, they carry all the stuff for the little ones up to the early…read moreteens. Barbie's and GI Joe and other dolls, board games, electronic toys, you name it. Prices are reasonable and the staff is very helpful. If you don't know quite what you need, they're happy to offer suggestions based on the age of the recipient. Good stuff!

High fashion, which reminded me of Macy's or Sax's Fifth Avenue in the States. Lots of "famous"…read morename brand clothing at undiscounted prices for those who simply must wear whatever it is that's in season this season. Needless to say, that's not me. This store also has a furniture and housewares department with prices that just about gave me a nosebleed. But if that's you, this is your store. Ask about the personal shopper and the "gold shopper" lounge. Woo!

This is a great Debenhams.its massive, and really has everything you could hope for in a debenhams!…read more The staff are superhelpful, and when I recently went in to get some makeup needed to cover a blackeye(darn muggers!) for an interview, they were much nicer than the ladies in Boots in trying to help me find the best solution!