Name: Harrods
Address: 87-135 Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL, UK
Telephone: 020 7730 1234
Rating: 4.4

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Harrods started as a humble grocery shop in 1849, founded by Charles Henry Harrod in Stepney, East London, before moving to its current Knightsbridge location.

Humble Beginnings

Harrods boasts over 330 departments, offering a vast array of products and services, from fashion and beauty to homewares and food.

Departments Galore

Harrods is famous for its Egyptian Escalator, designed in an Ancient Egyptian style. It was designed by William Mitchell and completed in 1998.

Themed Escalators

Harrods once had a very famous pet department, where you could buy exotic animals, including lion cubs and baby elephants. It closed in 2014.

Pet Department

It is estimated that over 12,000 light bulbs are used to illuminate the exterior of Harrods at night, making it a dazzling spectacle.

Light Bulbs

Harrods' motto is 'Omnia Omnibus Ubique' which is Latin for 'All things for all people, everywhere'.

Omnia Omnibus Ubique

Harrods

Harrods, the iconic Knightsbridge department store, transcends mere retail; it's a London institution. Its famed green awnings and elaborate window displays are instantly recognizable, but less known is its history as a humble grocer and tea merchant in the mid-19th century. The store's motto, "Omnia Omnibus Ubique" – "All Things for All People, Everywhere" – reflects its ambition to cater to every conceivable need, from haute couture to exotic pets, a service once famously providing a baby elephant to Ronald Reagan. The Egyptian Room, a lavish food hall, is a testament to its opulent aesthetic, designed by William Arlen in the early 20th century. Harrods' Christmas grotto is legendary, a magical experience for children that has become a multi-generational tradition. The sheer scale of the building is impressive, housing over 330 departments and requiring a dedicated team to manage its intricate operations. The store's history is intertwined with London's social fabric, reflecting changing tastes and trends over more than a century.

Introduction

Harrods, designed by C. W. Stephens, opened in 1905, replacing the original store that burned down in 1881. The building was Grade II* listed on the National Heritage List in 1969. Recent architectural projects include the women’s luxury fashion floor, designed to celebrate the original Edwardian structural grid by removing 20th-century interventions and creating a promenade connecting distinct brand boutiques, using materials like Portoro marble, black granite, bronze, and brass.

A bespoke flower kiosk on Hans Crescent, a joint project with The Knightsbridge Estate, echoes the materials of surrounding shopfronts and is inspired by Wardian cases, featuring a curved, fully glazed structure supported by a bronze frame. The Fine Watches and Fine Jewellery department redevelopment introduces double-height halls recalling the building’s original Edwardian grid, with interconnecting galleries and a central circulation zone. Circular escalators, the first in the UK, nod to the store's historic sweeping staircases.

Make Architects has been involved in Harrods’s refurbishments, including the Basil Street Escalator Hall, restoring the original Edwardian staircase and combining it with new escalators. The Grand Entrance Hall on Hans Crescent was redesigned, reconfiguring landings, restoring art deco features, and incorporating nickel bronze-clad escalators. The original facades of Harrods have been meticulously restored, including awnings, entrances, and display windows, reinstating the Edwardian baroque design with curved entrance windows, historic timber doors, and hand-laid mosaic flooring.

Architecture and Design

Harrods' legacy is intertwined with its history of holding royal warrants, beginning in 1910 as a "Supplier of Provisions and Household Goods" to King Edward VII, enhancing its reputation as a luxury destination. These warrants, symbols of royal approval, were prominently displayed until 2000. Mohamed Al-Fayed, then chairman, removed and later burned the warrants, describing them as a "curse" and claiming business tripled after their removal. This act, captured in the film "Unlawful Killing," marked a controversial moment in Harrods' relationship with the British monarchy.

Beyond royal connections, Harrods has shaped global luxury retail standards, influencing customer service, product quality, and the theatrical shopping experience. Its food halls, with their elaborate Egyptian-style décor completed in the 1920s, transformed grocery shopping into an aspirational activity. The "Harrods bag" became a status symbol, synonymous with luxury shopping in British culture.

Despite changes in ownership, from British to Egyptian and now Qatari, Harrods remains a quintessentially British experience for many international visitors. It has weathered significant historical events, maintaining its prominence by evolving from a shop into a destination. The Grade II listed building stands as an essential part of London’s identity, with its illuminated façade and distinctive green-liveried doormen. Harrods' enduring appeal lies in its ability to blend tradition with contemporary trends, solidifying its legacy as a cultural touchstone referenced in films, television, and literature as shorthand for wealth and sophistication.

Royal Warrants and Legacy

Harrods, a luxury department store in London's Knightsbridge, stands as one of the world's most famous retail destinations, attracting 15 million visitors annually. With over 1 million square feet of selling space across 330 departments, it is the largest department store in Europe. Harrods motto, "Omnia Omnibus Ubique," meaning "all things for all people, everywhere," reflects its extensive range of products and services.

The store offers a wide array of luxury goods, including clothing, jewelry, sporting gear, bridal trousseau, pet accessories, and home furnishings. Its services extend to 23 restaurants, personal shopping assistance, watch repair, tailoring, a pharmacy, a beauty spa, and bespoke services like picnic hampers and fragrance formulations. On peak days, the store welcomes up to 300,000 customers, with a high proportion from non-English speaking countries.

Historically, Harrods has catered to a distinguished clientele, including Oscar Wilde, Charlie Chaplin, and members of the British royal family. It was also known for stocking exotic animals, such as a lemur named Mah-Jongg and Christian the lion. The store's commitment to luxury extends to offering gold bars and coins for purchase. Despite past controversies, including criticisms regarding staff treatment and stocking of real animal fur, Harrods remains a symbol of luxury retail.

Luxury Department Store

Harrods department store, since its establishment in 1824, has been a notable innovator in the retail sector. Originally a single-room shop dealing in drapes, linens, and tea, Harrods quickly evolved, demonstrating an early aptitude for adapting to consumer needs and expanding its offerings. A key moment in its history of retail innovation was the introduction of the escalator in 1898. Considered a novel and slightly daunting experience at the time, Harrods offered brandy to soothe nervous customers, showcasing a commitment to customer experience.

The store's resilience after a devastating fire in 1883 further cemented its innovative approach. Rather than halting operations, Harrods temporarily relocated and fulfilled all Christmas orders, demonstrating adaptability and dedication to its clientele. This commitment to service, even in crisis, enhanced its reputation and customer loyalty.

Harrods also pioneered the concept of diverse product offerings, exemplified by its pet department, which operated until 2014. This department catered to a wide range of customers, offering everything from domestic pets to exotic animals, setting it apart from conventional retailers. The store's motto, "Omnia Omnibus Ubique" ("All things, for all people, everywhere"), reflects its commitment to providing a comprehensive shopping experience. Even the establishment of Harrods shops at Heathrow Airport in 2008 allowed for tax-free shopping, further extending its innovative reach to international travelers.

Harrods

Did You Know?

Humble Beginnings

Departments Galore

Themed Escalators

Pet Department

Highlights from Reviews

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