Makro Exeter

Where do i start? Years ago, Makro were the go to place for everything you needed as a small independent business. There were exciting offers that met online prices but it was convenient so you bought in store. The shopping experience as a retailer was exciting and I would often see many other familiar local companies stocking up their shelves from Makro. The staff were always tidy, polite and helpful and the store a pleasant place to visit it was in a way a smaller Costco.Today the retailer now part of the Tesco group of which with the buying power the group has combined you’d expect something quite spectacular. It is a very different story,let’s start at the top….The management… appear to spend most of their time sat in offices and in some cases feet on desks where visible and when there are customers queuing or looking for help but theres no one on the shop floor to help.The staff…. would you be happy working here? i most certainly would not and i can understand the lack of motivation and charisma but it is a job that has been applied for and therefore a minimum specification should be applied and that is to be presentable, helpful and committed to the customer experience - there’s nothing of the sort right now not even a friendly smile at the start or end of the journey.The cleanliness … actually not too bad, seems to be kept in good and acceptable conditions but could do with better signage and the warehouse floor perhaps painted again to be easier to identify spillages and dirt etc.The stock and prices….now as a CEO and buyer for my company i mentally compare prices with other stores of a similar stature and more often than not prices are higher with less quality than a retailer and whilst perhaps you might not be able to buy a case of items at your local stores if it cuts your overall spend and increases your bottom line why would you buy from makro? what the retailer needs here is clear accurate shelf edge labels and at least one team price matching or checking other retailers or wholesalers then labelling the product as either best quality or best price. The general offering is slim with a product facing of 5-10 of the same product which if a quick seller that makes sense but if it sits there till past its sell by date then a product facing of 5-10 is dead stock and more could be done to prevent such.The membership card …. There’s real potential to earn more with a club type scheme than selling products themselves but do we as small businesses feel valued as a member of the Makro brand club? how about features on small businesses? a members magazine or offers with networked providers? monetise the club ask for feedback and hear what your customers want.Reward their visit for higher spend in store etc.The opening hours….is 7.30am-4pm really convenient for your customers? I know many would struggle with the hours and i know we do infact we use makro as little as we can and we are a small business with a high growth market. Would you shop here? Real change starts at the top for this retailer/wholesaler staff and customer morale will follow. I know how i would improve the chain so listen to every word from suppliers customers and staff they are your business.I mean this review with the best intention, we understand as a small business many of us with deep knowledge of front and back end management and systems. Good luck with getting back on track.

Ive been using them for nearly 4 years and in the most part been very happy with the service. my Only gripes are firstly, PLEASE get some decent software where as the customer can see if you are out of stock online of items before delivery (as Bidfood do) and i wish it was tighter as who can buy from a business wholesaler as far too many domestic customers clog up the tills , particularly at the weekends!

Staff are great, however stock is limited, which is extremely frustrating! The toilets are shocking, filthy dirty and ironically no loo roll!!!,

Now that Bookers has moved into Makro it is not as good. Always went to Bookers for everything for our shop and you didn't always have to buy whole cases or outers. Since moving down to Makro there are a lot of products no longer available and you have to buy complete boxes etc..... Best way across the road are good but can't get to them since changing their opening hours to 10.00am till 02.00pm. How they expect small businesses to survive I don't know.

Selection of items are good. However the staffs are a mix of good and horrible. Most of the cashiers are lovely specially the elderly lady that has been there for a while. However there is a long curly hair guy who would ALWAYS lie about not having stapler to staple the card receipt with the invoice and he has done that 5 times so far atleast. I never made a big deal as it's only a minor thing. I ask him politely each time and he would blatantly lie and say they do not have staplers on till whereas everyone else staple the receipts without even asking. As a reputable company it is disappointing to see such incompetence.

I’m in here often and have to say, an Employee named Rob went above and beyond to make sure I had an item (that I was in dire need for) that was out of stock on the shelves. He looked it up for me and found it on a delivery truck, I really really appreciate good service like this!

Very unhelpful member of staff on reception, looks like she had given up!I certainly won’t be going back.No wonder it’s always looks empty.

Nice staff spacious and good prices

Good discount wholesalers but check supermarket offers as they can be cheaper. Cafe has been revamped and is much better. Lots of parking