Mary, Mary quite contrary

I just love Mary Portas Secret Shopper

Frankly all other business programmes have fallen short for me this season. The Apprentice claims the creme de la creme of business talent actually consists of childish man boys who shout, stamp their feet and pun, badly.

Stuart Baggs, whiny manchild and Apprentice loser, said: "When i was born my first word wasn't mummy, it was money." Wow - give this man a job.

Dragon's Den lost my attention about three season's ago for the repetition and predictability. The worst part is watching the dragon's compete to get the final pun in rather than focusing on the trembling entrepreneur before them. I'd much rather watch the Harry and Paul version nowadays.

So on to Mary.

Mary has passion for retail and that is why she is so good to watch. She believes that retail businesses can be better and the customer should be no more worse off. This isn't be rocket science...

A happy customer = spends more money.

But somehow the UK retailers and us consumers lost our way.

Her first episode, aimed as fast fashion, highlights that just because a product is cheap doesn't mean the business isn't raking in the profits. Why should we have to put up with a dirty floor, untrained staff, long queues when a nicer environment would encourage us to spend more, feel good about how we look and what we have bought. A feeling i know i never get when walking out of Primark.

Mary stomps into mobile phone stores, estate agents, sofa stores and takes no hassle. She is a joy to watch even if she does throw in the odd pun once and awhile.

Bravo Mary, I salute you. you are doing for retail what Jamie did for school dinners.