Harrods Wins Readers' Choice Award for Best Department Store

Harrods is the winner of the Readers' Choice Award for Best Department Store.

With over one million square feet of selling space and more than 330 departments, Harrods is one of the largest stores in the world. On busy days, some 300,000 shoppers visit the store, serviced by a staff of 5,000 people from 50 different countries. A Luxist nominee for best department store, Harrods was also a finalist for in our Best Gourmet Grocer/Food Hall category.

Founded in 1834 by Charles Henry Harrod, the original Harrods initially operated out of a single room in London as a sort of general store, specializing in tea. Within fifty years, it had grown to a company with 100 employees, expanding into neighboring buildings as its customer base grew. In 1912, Harrods opened its first and only store abroad in Buenos Aires.

The past few decades have seen the venerable store change hands more than a few times. In 1959, a British holding company called House of Fraser purchased Harrods; in 1985, that company was purchased by Egyptian businessman Mohamed Fayed and his brother Ali for 615 million pounds.

Today, Harrods offers clothing for men and women of all ages, as well as electronics, toys, appliances and a host of other categories of goods. The store also contains dozens of eating establishments ranging from the elegant (Caviar House) to the fattening (Krispy Kreme), all in keeping with the Harrods motto: Omnia Omnibus Ubique – "All Things for All People".