Discovering London’s Great Emporiums

London is one of the world’s shopping capitals and visitors and businesspeople attending events in London conference venues will be offered innumerable opportunities to satisfy their shopping urges. Locations such as Bond Street, Oxford Street and Knightsbridge are world renowned for the quality and diversity of the shops, however it is in the iconic city department stores that history meets shopping.

Selfridges

Selfridges is located on frenetic Oxford Street. As documented in the recent television drama Mr Selfridge, it was founded in 1909 by Harry Gordon Selfridge. Harry Selfridge was a self-made American who worked his way up to the highest echelons of the retail industry in Chicago. He is believed to have coined the phrase "The customer is always right", and he put this belief into effect in his flagship store in the UK capital. His innovative marketing techniques included putting on shows of the latest scientific advances, such as holding the first public demonstration of television in April 1925. He also used the roof to host such activities as a mini golf course, terraced gardens and an all-girl gun club. Today Selfridges remains an elegant store with floor after floor of wonderful shopping opportunities.

Liberty

Liberty is on Regent Street and has become well known for the wonderful Art Nouveau designs that are associated with it. Arthur Lasenby Liberty, after being inspired by the International exhibition in Kensington in 1862, decided to put his years of retail experience into his own establishment, and in 1875 Liberty opened. At first the goods on sale were largely luxury fabrics, ornaments and objets d’art from the Far East, however Liberty forged strong links with English designers who were practising in the emerging style of Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau. "Liberty style" became a style in its own right and, today, its fabrics are instantly recognisable. It is worth sneaking an hour or two away from your London conference venues to explore here. The store continues its tradition of selling luxury items and continues to forge links with innovative designers, such as Dame Vivienne Westwood.

Fortnum and Masons

Fortnum and Masons of Piccadilly was founded in 1707 and is the oldest of our iconic stores. It was opened as a grocery store and, during its history, has held many Royal Warrants; it continues to be associated with royalty up until the present day. It is still closely associated with food and has always prided itself on supplying everything from the basic to the exotic. It was the first store in Britain to stock Heinz Baked Beans, in 1886, and during the Napoleonic Wars it supplied dried fruit and preserves to British Officers. Fortnums is the place to take afternoon tea and the place to buy a picnic hamper to accompany you on a visit to Ascot or Henley.

Harrods

Harrods opened the doors of its five-acre site in 1834 and is the largest department store in Europe. In order to do it full justice you will need to take an entire day out from your London conference venues, but it will be well worth your while. Founded by Charles Henry Harrod, the store’s motto is Omnia Omnibus Ubique - All Things for All People, Everywhere. The store certainly lives up to its motto, selling just about everything you can imagine – and then some. Thirty-two restaurants, a tailor and beauty salons are just some of the services offered, and the Food Hall and the Christmas Department are world-renowned.

Whichever iconic department store you visit you are sure to enjoy a hugely satisfying and fruitful shopping experience in the UK capital.

Looking for the best London conference venues? Roberta Stuart is the Travel Manager for Worldhotels, a company offering the best rooms in a selection of unique four and five star hotels around the world.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.