A little gazebo called the suggestion fort goes up in the store. It's France's latest brainwave get the customers to say what they want from a Valco Better store, and Gavin's forced to be the sounding board.
France launches his latest initiative - the fast lane an aisle for all the essentials, so you can quickly shop and go. It's even got its own till with an experienced checkout girl (Lisa) manning it.
Leighton comes into work in a blazer - Richard France is taking him to head office to pitch his ideas up there. Gavin thinks this is a bad idea but France doesn't listen.
Gavin is forced to wear a hoodie saying manager, and France has the door taken off Gavin's office to make him more approachable. And with the building work disrupting the store, Gavin is slowly being driven mad.
It's a night shift the store is closed and the staff are doing a final big refit before they re-open. Gavin is horrified when France's wants to take all the signs down and move the stock so that the customers are lost.
It's the day of the big reopening and head office turn up for the occasion. Gavin is dismayed when they keep the customers waiting outside for hours but France is waiting for his celeb. Finally she arrives it's Kelly Brook.
Gavin's off today - on forced leave. Rumours about his fall-out with France have got around and people are starting to wonder if he's been sacked. Julie is temporarily promoted to manager and she worries that people think she back-stabbed Gavin.
Gavin returns and is trying to be a new man. Modern and forward thinking just like France. But it's rather tragic, and also too late, as France has closed ranks and will only speak to Julie.
Gavin feels isolated as Julie and Richard appear to be getting on as a team together. Katie is offered a managerial job at Valco, but has a decision to make when an old friend appears. Lisa and Colin are having doubts about their wedding.
Supermarket awards are up for grabs and the judges have arrived. France has a cunning plan to win them over. Gavin hands in his resignation, while Anna drops a bombshell on him.
Julie is offered the manager's job at Widnes. Leighton and Colin are at war with the local boy scouts. Geri Halliwell turns up to do her Christmas shopping. Heavy snow causes disruption for all.
