21/08/2005 - One of the Original Ciaoers (I was Ciaos Most Wanted in around February 2001 I think, o...
21/08/2005 - One of the Original Ciaoers (I was Ciaos Most Wanted in around February 2001 I think, or was it 2000?), currently on a "semi-sabbatical"...
Member since:02.12.2000
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In case you don’t know, along with Harrods and Harvey Nicols, Selfridges is one of London’s most famous department stores. There is also a branch in Manchester which I have never been to.
“Location” It’s located on Oxford Street closer to the Marble Arch side, with Bond Street the nearest tube station. Personally, being in the Oxford Street area is more convenient for me than the Knightsbridge area of the other two shops that I mentioned. There is also a bus stop right outside so no excuses not going there if you ever get the chance.
“Floor Guide” Selfridges (& Co) as I said, is a very large store probably about the size of a football pitch and a little spanning 4 floors and a small 5th
floor. There are countless entrances and the store is set out in a way where’s it’s fairly difficult to get lost, and with three sets of escalators and lifts it’s quite n easy shopping experience. Toilets are aplenty, but fairly difficult to find.
B The basement sells a large range of household items, electronics and durables, all at good value and a brilliant range too. A portion of it is a really modern electronics retailer, not your cramped Dixons sort, but more the 40’ digital widescreen sort. You can also find CDs, computer software/hardware, and there’s also a Carphone Warehouse. The range of household items, such a kitchenware is really chic, being called SelFridges, there is a range of fridges too (ho ho ho)
G The ground floor has an average food hall, a stationer, watch department (with a large range of designer watches), men's shirts, handbags/accessories, the beauty section (perfumes, lotions etc) and much much more. There is a heaven for chocolate lovers and newsagent. As well as a Miss Selfridge, there is also a brasserie, and a sushi bar too! The atmosphere is great, a real feeling of space, and aroma near the main entrance, it’s also very bright too. One niggle is the odour of the food hall, it’s revolting!
1 This is the Men’s floor with shoes, coats, suits, casual/formal designerwear, and a sports section. This is also where the kids will find the toys section, which isn’t too good really. For the men’s clothing, each designer/marque has it’s own little boutique with a healthy range of clothes, including Armani, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, etc etc… Prices are similar to the ones you find at Bond Street, but variety is small.
2 This is the ladies version on the 1st floor.
3 The third floor sells formal womenswear and lingerie. Tonnes of choice here, one of the “poshest” parts of the store, the atmosphere is very quiet and slightly eerie.
4 The fourth floor is dedicated to furniture and has a large restaurant there too. I’ve pretty much forgotten what this floor looks like so apologies for that.
5 The small fifth floor is for hair and beauty/health spa. For obvious reasons I have not been and don’t think I ever will.
“Service” The service at Selfridges is always a great "service with a smile" from knowledgeable staff, of course this is what your would expect. You would expect there to be some variance because they are employed by different people, but I have found this not to be the case.
Honestly think about this, if you are planning to buy a designer watch, say a top notch Seiko, would you purchase it from the High Street, or enjoy the tranquility and professionalism of this store?
“Value” Value is excellent, you get what you pay for, good are always sold at RRP or less. Watch out for the sales! get up to 50% off or more after you fight to get your goods! Obviously shop around before hand, sometimes I have found goods to be much more expensive, sometimes a little cheaper at Selfridges. This is especially true because there is no cartel with the Bond Street sales (well not explicitly) so you can shop to save.
“The Overall Experience” This is what I think differentiates Selfridges. Harvey Nic’s to me is a great shop that is perhaps less spacious and more crowded less fresh. Harrods more traditional with more tourists and less spacious once again. Selfridges is really fresh, always changing with the times and it is so much different to how it was years ago, but still has the same virtues. If you haven’t been for around 5 or 6 years, you will know what I mean. This makes it my favourite department store.
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May 1st, 2001
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