This page describes the process behind every store review on Review the Store. The scoring page covers the score itself, and research standards and limitations covers what our research can and cannot establish.
1. Choosing stores
We write about stores that readers search for or ask about. Being reviewed is not an endorsement, and a store cannot pay to be included, excluded or scored differently.
2. Collecting evidence
For each store an author records evidence items. Every item has a type, a finding, a source link where one exists, the date it was observed and any limitations. The four types are:
- Merchant claim. Something stated on the store's own pages, such as a returns window. It shows what the store says, not that it always happens.
- Our observation. A check our team carried out, such as whether the checkout uses HTTPS or whether a support address accepted mail.
- Independent source. Information from a third party the store does not control, such as a public company register.
- Unverified. Points we could not confirm either way. These are listed so you know where the gaps are.
3. Writing the assessment
The author writes the summary, verdict, delivery and returns sections, pre-order checks and questions and answers from the recorded evidence. Statements about delivery and returns are attributed to the store's published policy and dated.
4. Editorial review
A draft is not public. An editor reviews the evidence and the wording before publication. A review cannot be published without a named author, at least three evidence items including at least one direct observation, a list of what was checked and a list of uncertainties.
Some drafts are prepared with research-assisted scoring, which applies the published rubric on the scoring page to the recorded evidence. Those drafts always go to a named editor for review before they are published. Automated processes never change a published verdict or score.
5. Publication and dates
A review shows two dates. Published is when it first went live. Evidence last reviewed changes only when an editor confirms the evidence was checked again. We do not change dates to make a page look fresh.
6. Updates and corrections
Every change to a review is stored in a revision history with the editor's name and the time. Material corrections are noted on the review itself. See the corrections policy.
7. Relationships and independence
If the publisher owns, operates, or has an affiliate or other commercial relationship with a store, the review says so in a notice above the verdict and the store is listed on the ownership and funding page. Such a review is not described as independent.