Selfridges

Selfridges & Co., commonly known as Selfridges, is a prestigious chain of department stores based in the United Kingdom, renowned for its upmarket retail offerings primarily focused on luxury goods, including food, drinks, and beauty products.

Founded by Harry Gordon Selfridge in 1908, the flagship store opened on 15 March 1909 on Oxford Street, London, designed by the American architect Daniel Burnham. This flagship location is the second-largest store in the UK and a historic landmark known for pioneering innovative retail concepts that transformed shopping into a social and entertainment experience.

Selfridges operates several stores in the UK, notably at the Trafford Centre and Exchange Square in Manchester, and the Bullring in Birmingham. The brand has evolved to include amenities and services that enhance customer engagement, such as elegant restaurants and carefully curated product displays. Its broad product range covers food, beverages, beauty, and fashion, appealing to a high-end clientele that appreciates quality and exclusivity.

Throughout its history, Selfridges has been at the forefront of retail innovation and marketing, including the introduction of elaborate window displays as an art form and positioning shopping as a pleasurable event rather than a mere necessity. The company’s emphasis on customer experience and wide-ranging luxury products has made it a destination for both daily shopping and exclusive purchases.

The company underwent significant ownership changes over the years, most recently being acquired in 2022 by a joint venture between Thai conglomerate Central Group and Austria's Signa Holding, with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund acquiring a stake subsequently. Financially, Selfridges Group reported a turnover in the range of 1 to 10 billion euros as of 2021.

Selfridges maintains a significant UK workforce estimated between 1000 and 4999 employees and operates approximately 10 to 49 selling points, including department stores, distribution centers, and warehouses in the UK. The chain primarily focuses on large department store formats rather than smaller convenience outlets.

Today, Selfridges remains an iconic retail institution with a strong presence in luxury food, drink, and beauty markets, attracting suppliers and manufacturers interested in the UK premium retail sector.