10 London Department Stores
10 London Department Stores
With Christmas just a week away, we take a quick look at 10 London department stores. With some of them being so historic, it seems a good time to visit. That’s not just because it is Christmas, but also because in recent years, department stores have been failing and closing. Debenhams (featured in our list of 10 London department stores) which traces its history back to 1778 London has raised fears with poor sales figures recently. Another favourite, House of Fraser was sold as part of a £90 million rescue deal earlier in the year.
It is not just department stores, retail sales have been sliding recently with consumers tightening belts. Their major concern seems to be growing Brexit uncertainty. This has affected online retailers as well as traditional ones. Rising costs and online competition are affecting UK, traditional, brick-and-mortar retailers though.
The conclusion is it might be worth getting into historic department stores while you still can as their future may be uncertain. Here is a list of 10 London department stores and what they are known for. We have included names of nearby photography galleries as no visit to central London is complete without popping in to a gallery!
10 London Department Stores
- Liberty London
Location: Regent Street, Soho. Nearest tube station: Oxford Circus.
What they are: Fashion lovers’ department store.
Known for: Tudor inspired exterior and iconic floral prints inside.
Nearby photography gallery: The Photographers’ Gallery. - Harrods
Location: Brompton Road, Knightsbridge. Nearest tube station: Knightsbridge.
What they are: Iconic upmarket department store.
Known for: unrivalled product selection
Nearby photography gallery: Victoria & Albert Museum. - Selfridges
Location: Oxford Street, Marylebone. Nearest tube station: Oxford Circus.
What they are: High-end designer fashion and accessories.
Known for: being second largest UK store, after Harrods.
Nearby photography gallery: Hamilton’s Gallery. - Fortnum & Mason
Location: Piccadilly, St. James’s. Nearest tube stations: Piccadilly Circus, Green Park.
What they are: Extravagant 1707 department store.
Known for: Christmas hampers.
Nearby photography gallery: Huxley-Parlour Gallery. - Hamleys
Location: Regent Street, Soho. Nearest tube stations: Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus.
What they are: Store with 35,000 toys and games on seven floors.
Known for: Toys.
Nearby photography gallery: The Photographers’ Gallery.
Liberty London
This is a picture I took on 35 mm Ilford HP5 film earlier in the year. All that was missing was some Christmas decorations on the front of Liberty yo complete it as a Christmas picture!
10 London Department Stores continued
- Harvey Nichols
Location: Knightsbridge, Belgravia. Nearest tube station: Oxford Circus
What they are:Chic department store with a fashion focus.
Known for: Rooftop café and terrace.
Nearby photography gallery: Victoria & Albert Museum. - John Lewis & Partners
Location: Oxford Street, Marylebone. Nearest tube station: Oxford Circus
What they are: Respected long-running department store.
Known for: Annual Christmas television advert.
Nearby photography gallery: The Photographers’ Gallery. - Debenhams
Location: Oxford Street, Marylebone. Nearest tube station: Oxford Circus
What they are: Fashion-focused department store.
Known for: Unique mix of brands.
Nearby photography gallery: The Photographers’ Gallery. - House of Fraser
Location: Oxford Street, Marylebone. Nearest tube station: Oxford Circus
What they are: Universe filled with your favourite things.
Known for: 150 year history.
Nearby photography gallery:The Photographers’ Gallery. - Marks & Spencer
Location: Oxford Street, Marylebone. Nearest tube station: Oxford Circus
What they are: unique retailer with great heritage.
Known for: Good food.
Nearby photography gallery: The Photographers’ Gallery.
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