Thursday 17 November 2016

Bluewater Focus Group

Q1. Would you visit Bluewater with the sole intention of browsing? Why?
A: 4 - Yeah - because it makes me happy, theres something about looking at things you wanna buy is satisfying. It's entertaining, you go just to go, theres just a social thing to do.
2 - No - ultimately i like to buy something even if it's small, i wont go if it's just for nothing 
1 - No - because i go to shop when i know what i want and the specific shop that i need to go to
3- No - i go somewhere and just buy it, i don't have the intention to browse, i always have an objective of getting something. I would have a certain type of shop that I know i'll like something, i wouldn't browse through any shop, i have about three different shops i go to.

Q2. A side from the retail element, are there any sites in Bluewater that you regularly visit? Why?
A: 4 - Yes, food obviously, only restaurants, i wouldnt go anywhere else. 
2 - Yes, restaurants and sometimes cinema, because my favourite restaurant is there and i like the cinema that's there
1 - Yes, but only if other people want to go. 
3- Yeah - i always end up going to the foodcourt, or at least a coffee, most definitely, like 98% of the time.

Q3. When you're at Bluewater, would you share your location on social media? Why?
A: 4 - No - I wouldn't want everyone knowing where I am 
2 - No - because i couldnt care about what other people think about my whereabouts
1 - No - because you'd be embarrassed about where I am
3 - No - because i'm not a narcissistic loser that cares about what people think i'm doing, i really don't care. unless i'm tagging someone in a personal joke, otherwise, who cares!

Q4. If you are unfamiliar with a shop, but like the window display, would you still go in? Why?
A: 4 - yeah - because i might potentially want to buy something if it is similar to the display
2- no - i dont tend to be persuaded by the window displays, im quite old fashioned and stick to the shops that I know.
1 - yes - it would peak my curiosity, thats the art of a good window display. It also depends on what the shop is selling.
3 - maybe, it depends on the shop itself, i duno, T2 looks inviting and cool, ive never been in before but i would like to go in it looks cool. but for clothes shops if they have a interesting window i wouldnt go in, so overall not really. 

Q5. Would you go Bluewater just to go to a restaurant or the cinema? If so, why?
A: 4 - yes - because there is a variety of decent restaurants, theres loads that are worth it just to go to Bluewater without shopping. Like for a birthday or a special occasions. 
2 - no - i'd rather go to a normal restaurant, unless the restaurant i want to go to is only in bluewater, but if it isn't i'd rather not have to go to a shopping centre.
1 - yes - but only for convenience, like if it had the film at the right time that I wanted to see.
3- yeah - well the cinema in bluewater is the nicest in the area, and there's way more options to choose from. theres the food court for the crap stuff then there's proper sit down meals. and it's a great meeting point for everyone in kent and london, it's a great flagship place to meet. 

Q6. What emotions do you generally feel when at Bluewater? Why?
A: 4 - i feel happy, but not on a Saturday when it's busy or at christmas. I feel anticipation of what im going to buy, especially when I know that i'm going to specifically buy. Overall, it's very positive. 
2 - it's an experience that helps me relax, unless it is busy, i hate going around christmas time. other than that it's an relaxing experience,
1 - I feel tense, i feel nervous, i feel slightly claustrophobic, there's too many people there, too many shops.
3 - it depends how full the place is, if its really packed then i just don't want to be there, i get agitated. but if it isn't full then i'm pretty relaxed

Q7. Bluewater is one of the most popular shopping centres in the UK, why do you think this is?
4 - because its really big, there are two floors and is in a triangle which is different. it offers a variety to low to high class restaurants, same with the shops, it appeals to literally everyone and it has a cinema. There isn't a primark but I don't like primark anyway. 
2 - i think the attraction is the triangle shape, and its designed with a lot of light which doesn't makes you feel  claustrophobic, its one of the few shopping centres that doesnt make me feel like that, its open and light. it also has nice shops and has the combination of restaurants and cinema. Also there's loads of parking available and it's free! that's one of the reasons why I'd go there instead of Bromley. 
1 - I think its popular because i think it has a very nice design, i like the Toblerone layout, because you can always go back on yourself, you dont have to walk as far as some places, it's easy to get around. It has shops for everyone and free parking. 
3 - because it's the only good thing in Kent... it has a lot of stuff that not everywhere else has, and it's always changing the shops that it has, it keeps it fresh it's not full of old stale shops. There's stuff for everyone there, it pleases everyone. it covers all ground of food, shopping and entertainment. It's laid out pretty well with the triangle, it's easy to get around. It has really good transport links too. 

THOUGHTS AFTER FOCUS GROUP
> Similar to the previous interview, they prove the reasoning behind hybrid consumption, going to the shopping centre and doing at least one other activity whilst being there.
> Dislike the Trafford Centre interview, they show that shopping is an experience rather than a status (zizek disproving benjamin) - as they wouldn't share their location.
> Also show contentment (mostly) whilst at the shopping centre (Ritzer & Bryman)
> But what I found most interesting about these results, is the discussion about the layout of Bluewater itself and how that is why it is proved so popular - the triangular design linking to the idea of desire paths?? - this is very interesting
> Proves familiarity - one participant saying they always stick to the same shops whilst at the shopping centre.

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