View source for Harrods

{{Short description|British department store}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{about|the department store in London, England|the holding company|Harrods Group}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Harrods
| logo = [[File:Harrods.svg|180px|class=skin-invert]]
| logo_size = 180px
| logo_alt = 
| logo_caption = 
| image = Harrods (London).jpg
| image_size = 
| image_alt = 
| image_caption = Exterior of Harrods (2007)
| coordinates = {{Coord|51|29|59|N|00|09|49|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| status = Open
| building_type = [[Department store]]
| architectural_style = [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]]
| location = 87–135 [[Brompton Road]], [[Knightsbridge]], [[London]], [[England]]
| namesake = [[Charles Henry Harrod]]
| years_built = 1894–1905
| opened_date = 1905
| renovation_date = 
| client = [[Charles Digby Harrod]]
| owner = [[Harrods Group]] ([[Qatar Investment Authority]])
| floor_count = 
| floor_area = {{convert|1100000|sqft|m2}} of selling space
| grounds_area = {{convert|5|acre|m2}}
| architect = [[C. W. Stephens]]
| number_of_restaurants = 22
| public_transit = {{plain list|
* [[Knightsbridge tube station|Knightsbridge]]:
* {{color box|10069f}} [[Piccadilly line]]
}}
| website = {{URL|harrods.com}}
| embedded = 
{{Infobox historic site
| embed = yes
| designation1 = UK Grade II*
| designation1_offname = 
| designation1_date = 15 April 1969
| designation1_number = 1294346
}}
}}

'''Harrods''' is a [[Listed building|Grade II listed]] luxury [[department store]] on [[Brompton Road]] in [[Knightsbridge]], [[London]], [[England]]. It was designed by [[C. W. Stephens]] for [[Charles Digby Harrod]], and opened in 1905; it replaced the first store on the grounds founded by his father [[Charles Henry Harrod]] in 1849, which burned down in 1881. The store spans {{convert|1100000|sqft|m2}} of selling space, making it the largest department store in Europe and one of the largest in the world. Harrods is one of the most famous department stores worldwide, attracting 15 million visitors annually {{as of|2023|lc=yes}}.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-harrods-idUSTRE6470V520100509|title=investor buys UK department store Harrods|date=2010|work=Reuters|access-date=5 June 2017|archive-date=24 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124033734/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-harrods-idUSTRE6470V520100509|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Harrods expands its e-commerce options, in effort to lure more Chinese shoppers |url=https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2121160/londons-famous-harrods-store-set-biggest-revamp-its-180-year |access-date=25 October 2023 |work=South China Morning Post |quote=The iconic store in London's Knightsbridge attracts 15 million visitors a year. |archive-date=20 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320202550/https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2121160/londons-famous-harrods-store-set-biggest-revamp-its-180-year |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/10103783|title=History of Harrods department store|date=2010-05-08|work=BBC News|access-date=2020-04-16|language=en-GB|archive-date=7 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307162401/http://www.bbc.com/news/10103783|url-status=live}}</ref>

The original holding company, Harrod's Stores Limited, was formed and began trading on the [[London Stock Exchange]] in 1889. It was acquired by and merged into the [[House of Fraser]] in 1959, which itself was acquired by the [[Mohamed Al-Fayed|Fayed brothers]] and became a privately held company in 1985. When the House of Fraser was relisted on the stock exchange, the Harrods business was split off to remain privately held in 1994. The present-day legal entity, the [[Harrods Group]], was established by the Fayed brothers in 2006. It was sold to the [[Qatar Investment Authority]], the [[sovereign wealth fund]] of [[Qatar]], in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|last=De Bijenkorf official website|title=Histoire|url=https://www.debijenkorf.fr/a-propos-de-bijenkorf|website=De Bijenkorf|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-date=8 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108111826/https://www.debijenkorf.fr/a-propos-de-bijenkorf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=IADS Presidents|url=https://www.iads.org/web/home-public/2303-iads-presidents.php|access-date=2021-04-22|website=www.iads.org|archive-date=22 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422170303/https://www.iads.org/web/home-public/2303-iads-presidents.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

== History ==
In 1824, at the age of 25, [[Charles Henry Harrod]] established a business at 228 Borough High Street in [[Southwark]]. He ran this business, variously listed as a draper, mercer, and a haberdasher, until at least 1831.<ref>Rate Books April 1824 to April 1831 held at Local History Library, Borough High Street, Southwark, London.</ref><ref>1830 Critchett's Directory, London.</ref><ref>1832 Robson's Directory</ref> During 1825, the business was listed as 'Harrod and Wicking, Linen Drapers, Retail',<ref>Pigot's Directory of 1826–27</ref> but this partnership was dissolved at the end of that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/search |title=Issue 18210, published on the 10th. January, 1826, page 57 |publisher=London-gazette.co.uk |access-date=22 August 2010 |archive-date=16 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816181106/http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/search |url-status=live }}</ref> His first grocery business appears to be as 'Harrod & Co. Grocers' at 163 Upper [[Whitecross Street]], Clerkenwell, E.C.1., in 1832.<ref>1832 Robson's Directory</ref>

In 1834, in London's [[East End]], he established a wholesale grocery in [[Stepney]] at 4 Cable Street with a special interest in tea.<ref name="Southwark">{{cite news|title=New book reveals that the first Harrods shop was in Borough|url=https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/culture/new-book-reveals-first-harrods-shop-borough/|access-date=12 May 2023|work=Southwark News|archive-date=12 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512083659/https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/culture/new-book-reveals-first-harrods-shop-borough/|url-status=live}}</ref> Attempting to capitalise on trade during [[the Great Exhibition]] of 1851 in nearby [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]], in 1849 Harrod took over a small shop in the district of [[Brompton, London|Brompton]], on the site of the current store.<ref name="Ferry">{{cite book |last1=Ferry |first1=John William |title=A History of the Department Store |date=1960 |publisher=Macmillan |page=212}}</ref> Beginning in a single room employing two assistants and a messenger boy, Harrod's son [[Charles Digby Harrod]] built the business into a thriving retail operation selling medicines, perfumes, stationery, fruits and vegetables.<ref name="Digby Harrod">{{cite book |last1=Rennison |first1=Nick |title=The Book Of Lists London |date=2010 |publisher=Canongate Books |page=88}}</ref> Harrods rapidly expanded, acquired the adjoining buildings, and employed one hundred people by 1881.<ref name="Fashion">{{cite news |title=Harrods & Selfridges: a history of the ownership of two iconic department stores |url=https://www.theindustry.fashion/harrods-selfridges-a-history-of-the-ownership-of-two-iconic-department-stores/ |access-date=12 May 2023 |work=The Industry Fashion |archive-date=12 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512084802/https://www.theindustry.fashion/harrods-selfridges-a-history-of-the-ownership-of-two-iconic-department-stores/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

However, the store's booming fortunes were reversed in early December 1883, when it burnt to the ground. Remarkably, Charles Harrod fulfilled all of his commitments to his customers to make Christmas deliveries that year—and made a record profit in the process. In short order, a new building was built on the same site, and soon Harrods extended credit for the first time to its best customers, among them [[Oscar Wilde]], [[Lillie Langtry]], [[Ellen Terry]], [[Charlie Chaplin]], [[Noël Coward]], [[Gertrude Lawrence]], [[Laurence Olivier]] and [[Vivien Leigh]], [[Sigmund Freud]], [[A. A. Milne]], and many members of the [[British royal family]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pottinger |first1=George |title=The Winning Counter: Hugh Fraser and Harrods |date=1971 |publisher=Hutchinson |page=80}}</ref><ref name="Pooh"/> [[Beatrix Potter]] frequented the store from the age of 17. First published in 1902, her children's book, ''[[The Tale of Peter Rabbit]]'', was soon on sale in Harrods, accompanied by the world's first [[licensed character]], a [[Peter Rabbit]] soft toy (Peter and toys of other Potter characters appeared in Harrods catalogues from 1910).<ref>{{cite news |title=Peter Rabbit hops into Harrods in film affiliation |url=https://www.luxurydaily.com/peter-rabbit-hops-into-harrods-in-film-affiliation/ |access-date=11 May 2023 |work=Luxury Daily |archive-date=11 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511065358/https://www.luxurydaily.com/peter-rabbit-hops-into-harrods-in-film-affiliation/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Eccleshare |first=Julia |title=Peter Rabbit Turns 100 |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/print/20020422/30115-peter-rabbit-turns-100.html |access-date=11 May 2023 |work=Publishers Weekly |date=22 April 2002 |archive-date=21 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321121819/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/print/20020422/30115-peter-rabbit-turns-100.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1921, Milne bought the 18-inch Alpha Farnell teddy bear from the store for his son [[Christopher Robin Milne]] who would name it Edward, then Winnie, becoming the basis for [[Winnie-the-Pooh]].<ref name="Pooh">{{cite news |title='Winnie the Pooh has an enchanting heritage' |url=https://www.licensingsource.net/indepth/winnie-the-pooh-has-an-enchanting-heritage/ |access-date=16 June 2022 |work=Licensing source |archive-date=8 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808202253/https://www.licensingsource.net/indepth/winnie-the-pooh-has-an-enchanting-heritage/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 1926, [[Agatha Christie]], who visited Harrods as a girl, marvelled at the spectacle of the store's [[Christmas decoration|Christmas display]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hack |first1=Richard |title=Duchess of Death The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie |date=2009 |publisher=Phoenix Books}}</ref> The store has also featured in fiction, for example [[Mr. Bean (character)|Mr. Bean]] (played by [[Rowan Atkinson]]) visited Harrods to buy Christmas decorations in the 1992 ''[[Mr. Bean]]'' episode "[[Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean]]".<ref>{{cite news |title=7. Merry Christmas, Mr Bean |url=https://www.itv.com/watch/mr-bean/1a7287/1a7287a0007 |access-date=4 December 2023 |publisher=[[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] |archive-date=4 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204155043/https://www.itv.com/watch/mr-bean/1a7287/1a7287a0007 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 16 November 1898, Harrods debuted England's first "moving staircase" ([[escalator]]) in their Brompton Road stores; the device was actually a woven leather conveyor belt-like unit with a mahogany and "silver plate-glass" balustrade.<ref>"The First Moving Staircase in England." ''The Drapers' Record'', 19 November 1898: 465.</ref> Nervous customers were offered [[brandy]] at the top to revive them after their 'ordeal'.

The store was a founding member of the [[International Association of Department Stores]] from 1928 until 1935; its then-president, Frank Chitham, director as early as 1920, was also president of the association in 1930.<ref>https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1920/mar/08/committees-of-inquiry {{Bare URL inline|date=July 2025}}</ref>

[[Mah-Jongg (lemur)|Mah-Jongg, a lemur]], was sold to [[Stephen Courtauld]] and Virginia Courtauld (née Peirano) in 1923. Mah-Jongg lived with the Courtaulds for fifteen years, accompanying the couple on their travels and changes of residence, including [[Eltham Palace]] in the [[Royal Borough of Greenwich]].<ref name="Fashion"/> In 1969, [[Christian the lion]] was bought at Harrods by John Rendall and Anthony 'Ace' Bourke. The [[lion]] was set free in [[Kenya]] after reaching maturity.

The [[Disney Store#Disney at Harrods|Disney at Harrods]] partnership added the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique salon on 25 November 2013 to the previously operating Disney Cafe and Disney Store.<ref name=rgz>{{cite news|title=Disney and Harrods launch new retail experience|url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2013/11/20044-disney-and-harrods-launch-new-retail-experience|access-date=7 February 2017|work=Retail Gazette|date=15 November 2013|language=en|archive-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075905/https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2013/11/20044-disney-and-harrods-launch-new-retail-experience|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Architecture ==
[[File:Harrods' Egyptian room.JPG|thumb|The [[Art of Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]]-style clothing department at Harrods]]
The store occupies a {{convert|5|acre|m2|adj=on}} site and has over one million square feet ({{Nowrap|90,000 m<sup>2</sup>}}) of selling space in over 330 departments making it the biggest department store in Europe. The UK's second-biggest shop, [[Selfridges, Oxford Street]], is a little over half the size with {{convert|540000|sqft|m2|-3|}} of selling space.<ref>{{cite web|last=Clegg|first=Alicia |url=http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/dec2005/id20051213_744054.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051216112836/http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/dec2005/id20051213_744054.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 December 2005|title=Hot Shops: Retail Revamps |publisher=Businessweek.com|date=13 December 2005|access-date=26 June 2009}}</ref> By comparison Europe's second-largest department store the [[KaDeWe]] in Berlin has a retail space of {{convert|650000|sqft|m2|-3|}}.

The figurative sculptures that once adorned the Harrods [[food hall]] were consigned for sale at West Middlesex Auction Rooms in 2012. The two Mermaids supporting a giant Clam and the Stag and Boar sheltering under an English Oak are purchased by Greaves & Thomas for inclusion in an elaborate fountain for Ryde, Isle of Wight.

=== Memorials ===
[[File:PrincessDiana%26DodiFayed.JPG|thumb|''[[Innocent Victims]]'', [[Diana, Princess of Wales]] and [[Dodi Fayed]] memorial at Harrods]]
Following the [[Death of Diana, Princess of Wales|deaths]] of [[Diana, Princess of Wales]], and [[Dodi Fayed]], Mohamed Al-Fayed's son, two memorials to the couple commissioned by Al-Fayed were erected inside Harrods. The first, located at the base of the Egyptian Escalator, was unveiled on 12 April 1998, consisting of photographs of the two behind a pyramid-shaped display that holds a wine glass smudged with lipstick from Diana's last dinner as well as what is described as an engagement ring Dodi purchased the day before they died.<ref name=RS>Rick Steves, [http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/britain/london.htm Getting Up To Snuff In London] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530004701/http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/britain/london.htm |date=30 May 2008 }}, /www.ricksteves.com.</ref>

The second memorial, unveiled in 2005 and located by the escalator at door three is entitled ''[[Innocent Victims]]'', a bronze statue of the two dancing on a beach beneath the wings of an albatross, a bird said to symbolise the "Holy Spirit".<ref name=CNN090105>[http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/09/01/diana.dodi.statue/index.html Harrods unveils Diana, Dodi statue] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031720/http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/09/01/diana.dodi.statue/index.html |date=4 March 2016 }}, CNN.com, 1 September 2005.</ref> The sculpture was created by [[William Mitchell (sculptor)|William Mitchell]], a close friend of Al-Fayed and artistic design advisor to Harrods for 40 years. Al-Fayed said he wanted to keep the pair's "spirit alive" through the statue.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4204364.stm|title=Diana bronze unveiled at Harrods|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=1 September 2005|access-date=8 May 2010|archive-date=3 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403043527/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4204364.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Products and services ==
The Harrods motto is ''Omnia Omnibus Ubique'', which is [[Latin]] for "all things for all people, everywhere".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/10103783|title=History of Harrods department store|date=8 May 2010|work=BBC News|access-date=3 July 2017|language=en-GB|archive-date=8 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708203559/http://www.bbc.com/news/10103783|url-status=live}}</ref> Several of its departments, including the [[Christmas store|Seasonal Christmas]] department, jewellery departments and the [[Food Hall]]s, are well known.

The shop's 330 departments offer a wide range of products and services. Products on offer include clothing for women, men, children and infants, electronics, jewellery, sporting gear, bridal [[Wedding dress|trousseau]], pet accessories, toys (including [[Harrods Christmas Bears|Christmas]] and signature teddy bears),<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Collectors Net – Harrods Christmas Bears |date=4 October 2010 |url=https://www.worldcollectorsnet.com/articles/harrods-christmas-bears/ |access-date=2022-04-08 |language=en-US |archive-date=29 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129042103/https://www.worldcollectorsnet.com/articles/harrods-christmas-bears/ |url-status=live }}</ref> food and drink, health and beauty items, packaged gifts, stationery, housewares, home appliances, furniture, and much more.

A representative sample of shop services includes 23 restaurants, serving everything from [[high tea]] to [[tapas]] to [[pub food]] to [[haute cuisine]]; a personal shopping-assistance programme known as "By Appointment"; a watch repair service; a tailor; a dispensing pharmacy; a beauty spa and salon; a barbers shop; Ella Jade Bathroom Planning and Design Service; private events planning and catering; food delivery; a wine steward; [[bespoke]] picnic hampers and gift boxes; bespoke cakes; bespoke fragrance formulations; and [[Bespoke Arcades]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.harrods.com/product/bespoke-arcades/elite-racer-pro-simulator/000000000002267511 | title=BESPOKE ARCADES Elite Racer Pro Simulator | publisher=Harrods | access-date=30 August 2013 | archive-date=18 December 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218084735/http://www.harrods.com/product/bespoke-arcades/elite-racer-pro-simulator/000000000002267511 | url-status=live }}</ref> machines.

Up to 300,000 customers visit the shop on peak days, comprising the highest proportion of customers from non-English speaking countries of any department store in London. More than five thousand staff from over fifty different countries work at Harrods.

In October 2009, Harrods Bank started selling gold bars and coins that customers could buy "off the shelf". The gold products ranged from {{Nowrap|1 g}} to {{Nowrap|12.5 kg}}, and could be purchased within Harrods Bank. They also offered storage services, as well as the ability to sell back gold to Harrods in the future.

Harrods used to provide paid "luggage room" services for storing luggage/ items; however, post COVID they stopped providing this service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london-insider.co.uk/2009/10/harrods-starts-selling-gold-bars-ingots-coins/|title=Harrods Starts Selling Gold Bars|access-date=16 October 2009|date=16 October 2008|newspaper=The London Insider|archive-date=1 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701134411/http://www.london-insider.co.uk/2009/10/harrods-starts-selling-gold-bars-ingots-coins/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Customers ==
=== Customer dress code ===
In 1989, Harrods introduced a dress code for customers.<ref name="The Independent">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/dont-come-as-you-are-there-is-only-harrods-dress-code-1414544.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220509/https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/dont-come-as-you-are-there-is-only-harrods-dress-code-1414544.html |archive-date=9 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Don't come as you are: There is only Harrods dress code. |newspaper=The Independent |date=18 July 1994 |access-date=22 August 2010}}</ref> The store turned away people whose dress is not in compliance with the code. Forbidden items include cycling shorts; high-cut shorts, Bermuda or beach shorts; swimwear; athletic singlets; flip flops or thong sandals; bare feet; bare midriff; or wearing dirty or unkempt clothing. Patrons found not in compliance with the code and barred from entry include pop star [[Kylie Minogue]],<ref name="BBC 2">{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/39591.stm|title='Too fat for Harrods' woman to sue|work=BBC News|date=15 December 1997|access-date=4 May 2018|archive-date=28 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528172946/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/39591.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jason Donovan]],<ref name="BBC"/> [[Luke Goss]],<ref name="The Independent"/> a [[Scout troop]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8574009.stm |title='Harrods bars' Hampshire Scouts wearing woggles. |work=BBC News |date=18 March 2010 |access-date=22 August 2010 |archive-date=28 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128053615/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/8574009.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> a woman with a [[Mohawk hairstyle|Mohican hair cut]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/8150388.stm |title=Harrods snub 'Mohican' fundraiser. |work=BBC News |date=15 July 2009 |access-date=22 August 2010 |archive-date=28 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128053713/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/8150388.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> and the entire first team from [[FC Shakhtar Donetsk]] who were wearing tracksuits.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8520989.stm |title=Harrods bars Shakhtar before they face Fayed's Fulham. |work=[[BBC News]] |date=17 February 2010 |access-date=22 August 2010 |archive-date=28 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128053723/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/8520989.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

As of 2023, Harrods takes the following position: "We do not have a specific dress code for entry into the store, including any of our restaurants. However, we do reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone who is not deemed to be appropriately dressed. Sportswear, including trainers, shorts, and tracksuits, are permitted across all areas of the store and restaurants."<ref name="faqs">{{cite web |title=Visiting our Store FAQs |url=https://www.harrods.com/en-us/faqs/visiting-our-store |website=Harrods |access-date=17 October 2023 |archive-date=30 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030085133/https://www.harrods.com/en-us/faqs/visiting-our-store |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Royal warrants ===
Harrods was the holder of [[Royal Warrant of Appointment (United Kingdom)|royal warrant]]s from:
*[[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth&nbsp;II]] (Provisions and Household Goods)
*[[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]] (Outfitters)
*[[Charles, Prince of Wales]] (Outfitters and Saddlers)
*[[Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother]] (China and Glass)

In August 2010, in a letter to ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', chairman [[Mohamed Al-Fayed]] revealed that he had burnt Harrods [[Royal Warrant of Appointment (United Kingdom)|royal warrants]], after taking them down in 2000. Harrods had held the royal warrants since 1910. Describing the warrants as a "curse", Al-Fayed claimed that business had tripled since their removal. Prince Philip removed his warrant in January 2000,<ref name="anger-fayed">{{Cite news |date=26 June 2011|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/diana/8598896/Anger-as-Mohamed-Fayed-burns-Harrods-royal-warrants.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505054300/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/diana/8598896/Anger-as-Mohamed-Fayed-burns-Harrods-royal-warrants.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2013|title=Anger as Mohamed Fayed burns Harrods royal warrants|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London|first=Robert|last=Mendick}}</ref> and the other warrants were removed from Harrods by Al-Fayed in December, pending their five-yearly review. Prince Philip had been banned from Harrods by Al-Fayed.<ref name="everything-must">{{cite news |date=23 December 2000|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1379216/Everything-must-go-as-Harrods-cuts-royal-links.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1379216/Everything-must-go-as-Harrods-cuts-royal-links.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Everything must go as Harrods cuts royal links|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|first=Robert|last=Hardman}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Film of the burning of the warrants in 2009 was shown in the final scene of ''[[Unlawful Killing (film)|Unlawful Killing]]'', a film funded by Al-Fayed and directed by [[Keith Allen (actor)|Keith Allen]].<ref name="anger-fayed"/>

== Ownership ==
A chance meeting in London with businessman, [[Edgar Israel Cohen|Edgar Cohen]], eventually led to Charles Harrod selling his interest in the store for £120,000 ({{Inflation|UK|120000|1889|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}) via a stock market flotation in 1889. The new company was called Harrod's Stores Limited. [[Sir Alfred James Newton]] became chairman and [[Richard Burbidge]] managing director. Financier [[William Mendel]] was appointed to the board in 1891 and he raised funding for many of the business expansion plans. Richard Burbidge was succeeded in 1917 by his son [[Burbidge baronets|Woodman Burbidge]] and he in turn by his son Richard in 1935.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Callery|first1=Sean|title=Harrods Knightsbridge; The Story of Society's Favorite Store|date=1991|publisher=Ebury Press|location=London|pages=17, 37, 38, 40}}</ref>

The department store was acquired by [[House of Fraser]] in 1959, fighting off competition from [[Debenhams]] and [[United Drapery Stores]]. The business was in turn purchased by the Fayed brothers in 1985 for £615 million.<ref name="BBC"/> In 1994, Harrods was moved out of the House of Fraser Group to remain a private company prior to the group's relisting on the [[London Stock Exchange]]. Omar Fayed, Mohamed's youngest son, joined the Harrods board in 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2006/nov/19/theobserver.observerbusiness3|title=Omar, 19, joins Harrods board|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|publisher=guardian.com|date=18 November 2006|access-date=9 November 2015|archive-date=2 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902073302/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2006/nov/19/theobserver.observerbusiness3|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following denial that it was for sale, Harrods was sold to [[Qatar Holdings]], the [[sovereign wealth fund]] of the State of [[Qatar]] for £1.5 billion in May 2010.<ref name="BBC"/> A fortnight previously, chairman of Harrods since 1985, [[Mohamed Al-Fayed]], had stated that "People approach us from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar. Fair enough. But I put two fingers up to them. It is not for sale. This is not [[Marks and Spencer]] or [[Sainsbury's]]. It is a special place that gives people pleasure. There is only one Mecca."<ref name="Independent">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/qatar-the-tiny-gulf-state-that-bought-the-world-1970551.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220509/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/qatar-the-tiny-gulf-state-that-bought-the-world-1970551.html |archive-date=9 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Qatar, the tiny Gulf state that bought the world. |newspaper=Independent |date=11 May 2010 |access-date=22 August 2010}}</ref>

The sale was concluded in the early hours of 8 May, when [[Qatari Prime Minister]] [[Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani]] came to London to finalise the deal, saying that the acquisition of Harrods would add "much value" to the investment portfolio of Qatar Holdings while his deputy, Hussain Ali Al-Abdulla, called it a "landmark transaction".<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8669657.stm|title=Mohammed Fayed sells Harrods store to Qatar Holdings|date=8 May 2010|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=BBC|access-date=8 May 2010|archive-date=11 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811220505/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8669657.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> A spokesman for Mohamed Al-Fayed said "in reaching the decision to retire, [Fayed] wished to ensure that the legacy and traditions that he has built up in Harrods would be continued."<ref name="BBC"/>

Al-Fayed later revealed in an interview that he decided to sell Harrods following the difficulty in getting his [[dividend]] approved by the trustees of the Harrods pension fund. Al-Fayed said "I'm here every day, I can't take my profit because I have to take a permission of those bloody idiots. I say is this right? Is this logic? Somebody like me? I run a business and I need to take the trustee's permission to take my profit."<ref name="The Evening Standard">{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/mohamed-fayed-why-i-sold-harrods-6473745.html |title=Mohammed Fayed: Why I Sold Harrods. |newspaper=Evening Standard |date=26 May 2010 |access-date=22 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024120156/http://www.standard.co.uk/news/mohamed-fayed-why-i-sold-harrods-6473745.html |archive-date=24 October 2012 }}</ref> Al-Fayed was appointed honorary chairman of Harrods, a position he held for six months.<ref name="The Evening Standard"/>

== Criticism and controversy ==
=== Staff issues ===
Harrods has been criticised by ''Guardian'' journalist [[Sali Hughes]] as "deeply sexist" for making female employees wear six kinds of makeup at all times without requiring this of male employees.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2011/jul/04/harrods-hard-line-on-beauty |title=Harrods' line on beauty is 'deeply sexist' |author=Hughes, Sali |date=4 July 2011 |work=www.guardian.co.uk |access-date=7 July 2011 |archive-date=20 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420034424/http://www.theguardian.com/law/2011/jul/04/harrods-hard-line-on-beauty |url-status=live }}</ref> Harrods was criticised by members of the [[Black British people|Black community]] after the ''[[Daily Telegraph]]'' reported that Harrods staff told a black woman that she would not be employed unless she [[Relaxer|chemically straightened]] her hair, stating that her natural hair style was "unprofessional".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2017/01/25/black-woman-told-straighten-hair-wants-harrods-job-mps-told/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2017/01/25/black-woman-told-straighten-hair-wants-harrods-job-mps-told/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Black woman told to straighten hair if she wants Harrods job, MPs told|newspaper=The Telegraph|language=en-GB|access-date=26 January 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Harrods' restaurants and cafes included a 12.5% discretionary service charge on customers' bills, but failed to share the full proceeds with kitchen and service staff.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jan/02/harrods-service-charge-workers-company-keeps-restaurant-tips|title=Harrods workers say company keeps up to 75% of restaurant service charge|last=Wood|first=Zoe|date=2 January 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=2 January 2017|archive-date=2 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102194526/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jan/02/harrods-service-charge-workers-company-keeps-restaurant-tips|url-status=live}}</ref> Several employees joined the [[United Voices of the World|UVW union]], which claimed that 483 affected employees were losing up to £5,000 each in tips every year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jan/07/harrods-protest-service-charges-tips-united-voices-of-the-world|title=Harrods demonstrators block doorways during tips protest at store|last=Butler|first=Sarah|date=2017-01-07|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-02-27|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112030642/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jan/07/harrods-protest-service-charges-tips-united-voices-of-the-world|url-status=live}}</ref> A protest and roadblock organised by the union outside Harrods during the January sales of 2017 was followed by an announcement that "an improved tronc system" would give 100% of service charges to staff.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jan/20/harrods-tips-restaurants-protests-union-service-charge|title=Harrods stops taking cut of tips in its restaurants after protests|last=Wood|first=Zoe|date=2017-01-20|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-02-27|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=28 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228065634/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jan/20/harrods-tips-restaurants-protests-union-service-charge|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Sexual abuse allegations ===
Twenty female former staff members alleged that during Al Fayed’s ownership, Harrods not only failed to intervene, but helped cover up his sexual abuse of young staff members, including multiple rapes or attempted rapes.<ref name=Cornish>{{cite news |first1=Cassie |last1=Cornish-Trestrail |first2=Keaton |last2=Stone |first3=Erica |last3=Gornall |first4=Sarah |last4=Bell
|title=Mohamed Al Fayed accused of multiple rapes by staff |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz6x635wpjxo |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=19 September 2024}}</ref>

The first report of abuse arose in 1985 soon after Al Fayed took ownership of the store, when a 15-year-old girl alleged she had been inappropriately touched by him. This was dismissed by the Crown prosecution service when Al Fayed denied the claim.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Faarea |last1=Masud |first2=Darin |last2=Graham
|first3=Ellie |last3=Price
|title=Harrods boss tells BBC he is 'dreadfully sorry' for Al Fayed abuse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdj3xjvwldpo |work=[[BBC News]] |date=8 November 2024}}</ref> Further female staff and ex-staff members have subsequently come forward to add their names to the growing list of workers reportedly abused by Al Fayed and his brother Salah, now being accused of similar activity, with allegations now in the hundreds.  A timeline of sexual abuse allegations by current and former staff now exists while investigations continue.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Tom |last1=McArthur 
|title=Mohamed Al Fayed: Timeline of sex abuse allegations |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgj4521d4q6o |work=[[BBC News]] |date=26 September 2024}}</ref>

=== Stocking issues ===
Harrods and [[Mohamed Al-Fayed]] were criticised for selling real animal fur, provoking regular protests organised outside Harrods.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.veggies.org.uk/event.php?ref=782|title=Harrods fur protests|publisher=Vegies.org.uk|date=27 June 2009|access-date=26 June 2009|archive-date=24 December 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224124634/http://www.veggies.org.uk/event.php?ref=782|url-status=dead}}</ref> Harrods is the only department store in Britain that has continued to sell fur.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.caft.org.uk/harrods/harrods.htm |title=The Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade |publisher=Caft.org.uk |access-date=26 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620235408/http://www.caft.org.uk/harrods/harrods.htm |archive-date=20 June 2009 }}</ref> 

Harrods was sharply criticised in 2004 by the Hindu community for marketing a line of feminine underwear (designed by [[Roberto Cavalli]]) which featured the images of Indian goddesses. The line was eventually withdrawn and formal apologies were made.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3790315.stm|title=Harrods apology over Hindu bikinis|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=BBC|date=9 June 2004|access-date=9 June 2004|archive-date=19 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219230933/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3790315.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Asma al-Assad ===
[[Asma al-Assad]], the wife of the former [[President of Syria]], [[Bashar al-Assad]], used an alias to shop at Harrods despite economic sanctions imposed by the European Union that froze funds belonging to her and her husband.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=European Blacklist |url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2012/03/20/asma-al-assad-the-real-dictator---emails-harrods-shopping|author=Lauren Miligan|magazine=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]|date=20 March 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323002529/http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2012/03/20/asma-al-assad-the-real-dictator---emails-harrods-shopping|archive-date=23 March 2012}}</ref>

=== Trademark litigation ===
In 1986, the town of [[Ōtorohanga]], New Zealand, briefly changed its name to "Harrodsville". This was a protest in support of a restaurateur, Henry Harrod of [[Palmerston North]], who was being forced to change the name of his restaurant following the threat of lawsuits from Mohamed Al Fayed, the then owner of Harrods department store.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2007/11/06/DI2007110602265_pf.html|title=Chatological Humor (Updated 11.16.07)|work=Washingtonpost.com|access-date=2015-07-10|archive-date=9 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109225448/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2007/11/06/DI2007110602265_pf.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itnsource.com/jp/shotlist//RTV/1986/06/16/BGY602020176/?s=south+bank+show|title=New Zealand: Small Town Shops Face Legal Action from Harrods Lawyers in London|work=Itnsource.com|access-date=2015-07-10|archive-date=22 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322101053/http://www.itnsource.com/jp/shotlist//RTV/1986/06/16/BGY602020176/?s=south+bank+show|url-status=live}}</ref>  As a show of solidarity for Henry Harrod, and in anticipation of actions against other similar-sounding businesses, it was proposed that every business in Ōtorohanga change its name to "Harrods". With the support of the District Council, Ōtorohanga temporarily changed the town's name to Harrodsville.  After being lampooned in the British tabloids, Al Fayed dropped the legal action and Harrodsville and its shops reverted to their former names. The town's response raised widespread media interest around the world, with the BBC World Service and newspapers in Greece, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Canada covering the story.

On 27 October 2008, in the case of '''''Harrods Ltd v. Harrods Limousine Ltd''''', the Harrods store applied to the [[Company Names Tribunal]] under s.69(1)(b) [[Companies Act 2006]] for a change of name of Harrods Limousine Ltd, which had been registered at [[Companies House]] since 14 November 2007. The application went un-defended by the respondent and the adjudicator ordered on 16 January 2009 that Harrods Limousine Ltd must change their name within one month. Additionally the respondent was ordered not to cause or permit any steps to be taken to register another company with an offending name which could interfere, due to its similarity, with the [[goodwill (accounting)|goodwill]] of the applicant. Finally, Harrods Limousine Ltd was ordered to pay Harrods' costs for the litigation.<ref>[http://www.ipo.gov.uk/o01409.pdf Harrods Ltd v. Harrods Limousine Ltd] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103035813/http://www.ipo.gov.uk/o01409.pdf |date=3 November 2012 }} Retrieved 28 September 2014</ref>

== Incidents ==
*1983: A [[1983 Harrods bombing|terrorist attack]] by the [[Provisional IRA]] outside the Brompton store kills six people.
*1993: An IRA [[1993 Harrods bombing|terrorist attack]] injures four people.

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Harrods Stores 1903.jpg|Share of the Harrod's Stores Ltd., issued 7 August 1903
File:Harrods Stores 1903 Rückseite .jpg|Back of a share from 1903
File:Harrods 1909.jpg|Fashion plate of 1909 showing Londoners walking in front of Harrods
File:Harrods at Night, London - Nov 2012.jpg|The Harrods building frontage at night
File:Harrods Furniture Depository 7073.jpg|[[Harrods Furniture Depository]] in Barnes, London
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Portal|London}}
* [[Fortnum & Mason]]
* [[Jenners]], known as the "Harrods of the North"

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Sources ==
{{Refbegin}}
*''[[Guinness World Records]] 2007'', published by Guinness (8 August 2006), {{ISBN|978-1-904994-12-1}}
{{Refend}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|isbn=0-233-99617-6|publisher=Andre Deutsch|title=Behind the Scenes at Harrods|date=7 February 2000|author=Chris Bennett and Colin Cameron}}
*{{cite book|isbn=0-330-29800-3|publisher=Pan|title=Harrods: The Store and the Legend|date=November 1986|author=Tim Dale}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{PM20|FID=co/010890|TEXT=Documents and clippings about|NAME=}}

{{UK Department stores}}
{{London landmarks}}
{{FT 30 constituents}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Harrods| ]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea]]
[[Category:Brompton, London|Harrods]]
[[Category:Retail companies based in London]]
[[Category:Companies formerly listed on the London Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Department stores of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:House of Fraser]]
[[Category:Retail buildings in London]]
[[Category:British royal warrant holders]]
[[Category:Shops in London]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea]]
[[Category:Department store buildings in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1834 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Knightsbridge]]
[[Category:Food halls]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 1834]]
[[Category:British companies established in 1834]]
[[Category:Buildings by C. W. Stephens]]