People all over the world know that London is arguably one of the most interesting capital cities in the world. It’s a place that wears its history with pride and doesn’t shy from mixing high-end modern amenities with undying traditions. It’s a city where you can go shopping for the latest fashion and electronics while being surrounded by buildings that are centuries old, steeped in a deep and engrossing history that you just can’t help but take notice of.
One of the most revered department stores in London is Harrods. Founded in 1849 by Charles Henry Harrod, the building is still in perfect condition and stands tall over Brompton Road in Knightsbridge. Although it’s now owned by the state of Qatar via its sovereign wealth fund, it’s still an iconic piece of architecture that has centuries worth of history within its walls.
Whether you’ve heard the name or know nothing about it, in this article, we’re going to talk about everything that you’ve ever wanted to know about Harrods.
Harrods is home to 330 departments split across seven floors
High-end brands such as Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Burberry and Givenchy can all be found in Harrods. No matter what you’re searching for, you’ll find your favourite designers right here in Harrods. However, it’s not just all high-end fashion and there are also electronics stores and toy stores.
Harrods has a range of different services on site
Not only can you shop at Harrods, but you can even get your hair cut, your watch repaired and you can even buy gold at the banks inside Harrods. You can even find interior designers and professional chefs that are all ready and willing to help you–for a price!
Harrods attracts 300,000 customers per day during peak seasons
Harrods can serve around 300,000 customers per day during popular holidays. Most of these customers are from non-English speaking countries that know the Harrods name well and come from all corners of the world just to experience the luxurious shopping experience that can only be found in London.
Harrods serves over 65 million customers per year
When combining sales through their website Harrods.com and sales at their physical stores around the world, Harrods can serve well over 65 million customers in a single year.
Harrods has a dress code–sort of
There are visitor’s guidelines in Harrods that they expect you to uphold. For instance, you must not wear “clothing that reveals intimate parts of the body, or that portrays offensive pictures or writing” and you’re also expected to “carry small rucksacks in your hand” instead of on your back.
Harrods has a group size limit
If you are in a large group, Harrods staff will politely ask you to split into groups of no more than four persons and each must be accompanied by a group leader.
Harrods used to have an exotic pet shop
To give you an idea of the scale of Harrods and how high-end it really was, the department store used to sell animals that ranged from lion cubs to hamsters. The American president, Ronald Reagan, even phoned up once with a request to purchase a baby elephant.
