Very is a fully legitimate major UK retailer with a large product range, strong customer service, and comprehensive consumer protections. Upfront purchases are straightforward and reliable. The one area to watch is the credit and buy now pay later offering — interest rates on revolving credit can be high. Always pay in full to avoid charges.
Very launched in 2009 as the flagship brand of Shop Direct, which subsequently rebranded as The Very Group. The group has a long history in UK catalogue retail, with origins going back decades through brands such as Littlewoods and Great Universal. Very itself is a major online retailer with a broad product range spanning clothing, footwear, electronics, home and garden, toys, and beauty — it is one of the UK's most visited retail websites. The Very Group generates substantial annual revenue and is a well-capitalised, established UK business with no legitimate concerns around its basic financial standing.
For straightforward purchases paid upfront, Very is entirely reliable. Delivery is generally fast and tracked, the returns process is well-designed and easy to use, and customer service is accessible and responsive. The product range is genuinely broad, and Very frequently runs competitive promotions. UK consumer rights fully apply to all purchases, including your statutory right to a refund for faulty goods.
The one significant caution is the credit offering. Very actively promotes buy now pay later and revolving credit accounts as part of its business model. These products are FCA regulated, but the interest rates on unpaid balances can be substantially higher than standard credit cards. If you make purchases on a Very account and do not pay off the balance in full during any interest-free period, you may accumulate significant interest charges. Our strong recommendation is to treat Very as a straightforward online retailer and pay for all purchases immediately with a debit or credit card. Do not use the credit account unless you fully understand and can manage the interest implications.