To celebrate the exciting launch of our new Resort 20 collection at Harrods, we took a look back at the history of the world’s most prestigious department store.
Started as a family-run shop in east London in the early 19th century, Harrods has now become an iconic symbol of retail.
Started as a family-run shop in east London in the early 19th century, Harrods has now become an iconic symbol of retail.
Image courtesy of BPG
Now a global phenomenon, Harrods started life as a small family-run business. The Harrods motto “Omnia Omnibus Ubique” (All Things for All People, Everywhere) is representative of the company’s universal presence.
The famous store in Knightsbridge covers more than a million square feet, seven floors and 330 departments. Harrods boasts over 15 million customers each year, which is something that we are so proud to be a part of.
Charles Henry Harrod and the original Harrods store
A Brief History
Founded in 1849 by Charles Henry Harrod in Stepney, East London, the store started from humble beginnings. Originally a grocery shop and tea merchant, employees of Harrods were limited and the company was inconsequential in comparison to the global empire we see today.
In 1851 the store relocated to an existing grocer’s shop on Brompton Road, where it remains today. The business was eventually passed down by Charles Henry to his son, Charles Digby Harrod, who was instrumental in making Harrods the iconic store that it is today.
In 1883 the department store suffered a fire which destroyed the entire building and surrounding houses. However it was an opportunity for the brand to reinvent itself and when it reopened, Harrods was better than ever before. The Harrods that we know and love today was rebuilt with Art Nouveau windows and a baroque-style dome. The brand new façade of the building had 12,000 light bulbs shining, making it an unmissable sight.
Image courtesy of Alamy Stock Photo
Modern Ownership
The department store went through a period of acquisitions. In 1959, the department store was bought by House of Fraser, however in 1985 it was returned to private ownership under Mohammed Al Fayed and his brother Ali. By 2000, the Harrods empire had expanded to outlets in airports and on the QE2 cruise ship.
LOVE BRAND & Co. Resort 20
Discover our iconic men's swimming trunks and resort wear in Harrods.
