Spotlight Christchurch — Attraction in Christchurch

TL;DR: Pretty good store overall, and imo the crafting version of "The Warehouse": not super cheap but cheap enough, and not great quality but good enough for most needs due to its decent range, which is usually sufficient... and this store does have awesome staff who go the extra mile to help customers.

More detailed points:

There is plenty of parking and space in the store/parking lot, and central location is good.

-Air conditioning is effective (it has to be said, as not all stores are!)

Opening hours are pretty decent, and they have later closing on Thursday/Friday when it closes at 7:30pm which is great for people who work full time hours

It has a wide range of different kinds of items but not many varieties of items within each area. This range isn't great for what I was seeking (high quality wool or silk/bamboo yarns, 100% wool, linen fabrics, quality notions like pins, 100% cotton threads), as a lot of the stuff they sell is kind of overpriced, junky-quality (in my opinion).

This is just a general Spotlight thing (not specific to this particular store) but we are clearly paying more in NZ than the Australian market as the prices on products clearly show a disparity.

Some things are VERY overpriced (costumes, rugs, knitting notations/wool, furnishings) but conversely sale items are very well priced and with decent reductions (a generous 30 - 60% as a general minimum)

In terms of range/category diversity I'd rank it slightly higher than Lincraft (in terms of usefulness to me/quality of items & what products are made of), but lower in the actual quality of what items are made of. It's also got a wider range of product categories when compared to competitors such as Briscoes, Bed, Bath, The Warehouse, etc, even if there isn't a particularly good range within each different sort of product category.

That said, this kind of store has a place & purpose, and in some things the range is fairly good (fabrics, kitchen supplies, curtains, outside decor). If you are looking for low-to-middling quality items such as bolt ends, large cakes of acrylic yarn and fake plants, this place is perfect.

A notable highlight of this particular Moorehouse Ave store is that the staff are (consistently in numerous visits) very friendly and helpful, despite it also being clearly a very busy/stressful retail store (always many customers, no matter what time of day. Staff are attentive and know their stuff, which is...

If you're into crafts, sewing, or planning a wicked party, this place is pretty much your go-to. It's an absolute treasure trove of stuff, but like any big shop, it's got its pros and cons. First off, the range of products is genuinely epic. Seriously, whether you're a seasoned crafter, just starting out, or you need some bits for the kids' school project, Spotlight probably has it. From stacks of fabrics and yarns to all sorts of art supplies, plus tons of party decorations, you can usually find everything you need under one roof. That huge selection is a massive draw and why so many of us keep heading back. Now, on to prices – it's a bit of a mixed bag. You'll definitely snag some good deals, especially if you keep an eye out for their frequent sales and if you're a VIP member. Those discounts can really make a difference, turning something that seems a bit pricey into a real steal. But yeah, some stuff can feel pretty expensive at full price. It's smart to compare prices, especially on bigger purchases or those specific craft bits, as you might find a better deal elsewhere if there's no sale on. The main gripe most people have, though, is the parking situation. There are dedicated spots, but honestly, it often feels like not enough, especially on busy weekends or during peak times. The car park can get pretty jammed, making it a bit of a mission to find a spot close to the entrance. That's a real pain, especially if you're planning on buying a bunch of bulky fabrics or party supplies. If they could sort out the parking to make it easier, it would seriously improve the whole shopping experience! So, in a nutshell, Spotlight Christchurch is awesome for its huge product range – it's a central hub for all your creative and party needs. While you can definitely grab some bargains, be prepared for some items to be a bit on the pricier side. But the biggest headache, for sure, is the parking, which could really do with an upgrade to match how popular...

First visit, won't be coming back here again. The ladies at the cutting section of the fabrics were very rude, perhaps racist? Talked to me in a condescending manner when I had asked about simple things. I picked up a roll of fabric intending to buy the whole roll, and went to the till to be told that it had to be measured. The fabric I wished to purchase had the remaining meters of fabric clearly written on the tag, and the lady said that it was sometimes right sometimes wrong? I didn't think that I needed to measure something that had already recorded it's current measurement. How strange for the employees to not be competent enough to write the correct amount on the tag. The lady measured the fabric, and lo and behold, the amount of fabric on the roll was exactly as written, yet she still had a holier than thou attitude towards me. Every single time I asked her something, she gave me a blank stare and asked me to repeat myself multiple times...by the way, I'm a native English speaker, and there is nothing wrong with the way I speak. Just not very impressed with the service I was provided with, especially as a first time shopper. In all honesty, I was absolutely aghast at the experience. It appears that there is a collective agreement that rude employees are quite apparent in this store, I will be going to other stores for future purchases and warn others that there are most likely much better places to go to. Absolutely disgusting rude behavior from staff that are meant to help out customers, especially those that are not too knowledgeable about the format of the store, or what they want to purchase. I truly do hope and pray that the staff will learn to accept to...