Next - final score: 18/40

Address: 201 Oxford Street

Map: Click here to find this store.

Score last season: 16 

Verdict: Black, brown and tan equals boring. The store is a let down.

Looks - 6

Women get peep-toe wooden wedges, graduated patent flats, gladiator sandals, grey T-bars, sporty wedges and a wall of hanging ballerinas in a range of colours from salmon pink to monochrome black and white with brogue detailing.

For men Next sticks to a tried and tested formula of classic black and brown slip-on and lace-up formals and borrows heavily from Jeffery-West for Marks & Spencer with high-shine leathers and rock 'n' roll detailing. Casuals include interpretations of Fly London and Merrell plus some plain canvas pumps and pin-striped espadrilles.

Mix - 4

All the main fashion looks are here but not in too much depth. Clunky wedges make up the self-service offer while more formal product such as office shoes and occasionwear courts anchor the serviced department. Next has borrowed heavily from Marks & Spencer and flagged up comfort technology in its women's heels.

Duplication is still fairly high on men's product with eight brown slip -n options but only six black lace-ups this season. The department is about 60/40 formal to casual.

Store - 3

Next misses a trick by not displaying add-on footwear options prominently within its clothing departments or windows. The women's footwear department is dingy and seat cushions are torn, which is disappointing given this store is so high profile.

The men's department is cleaner and brighter but there are no staff to be seen anywhere, which means no one volunteers any help.

Value - 5

A graduated patent court shoe inspired by Prada is £25 and incorporates Next's Sole Reviver technology for extra comfort. Fashion wedges are £35 as are crystal T-bar wedges. Ballerinas average £15 while a version of a Birkenstock sandal is a reasonable £13.

For men, a high-shine leather lace-up is £65, while fashion styles such as side-lace grey shoes and white lightweight loafers hover around the £40 mark. White canvas pumps with spare laces are £15.

Vox pop: Miempie Louw, 50, currently unemployed

• Are you a regular shopper here?
I come in from time to time, maybe once a week.

• What does this shop mean to you?
I come to browse.

• How impressed are you with this season's offerings?
They do offer a lot this season, and I usually buy for the professional environment.  

• What is it they're doing well?
A good variety. I don't buy footwear that often, but I will buy when I see something I like.

• What have they missed out that you would have liked to have seen?
Not much to offer for an evening out.