If you find yourself in London, you must visit Harrods, the famous department store. Harrods is a luxury department store, located at 87-135 Brompton Rd, Knightsbridge, London. There are many ways to get to the department store from public transportation. There's a bus stop right outside the store and an underground right around the corner. The nearest tube station to Harrods is Knightsbridge on the Piccadilly line. According to the BBC, the store attracts over 15 million people every year.
View from outside the department store
Background
Harrods was founded in 1834 by Charles Henry Harrod. He opened a grocery store in the East End of London, moving it to Knightsbridge in 1849. His son, Charles Digby Harrod, took the business and transformed it into the major retail shop it's known as today. Now, Harrods is owned by the state of Qatar. The Harrods brand also has other enterprises including the Harrods Bank, Harrods Estates, Harrods Aviation and Air Harrods.
Today, Harrods has over 5,000 staff and 330 departments covering 5 acres and one million square feet of retail space. This is a shopping experience unlike any other. Every little detail in the building is utter perfection. There are extravagant escalators and elevators to take customers to different floors. The food department is a dream; a whole room dedicated to chocolate and other desserts, freshly made foods and drinks. Each department is warm and inviting from the set-up to the staff.
Atmosphere
Walking into the department store, you will immediately be overcome with the beauty and elegance. Harrods is almost like a mall in itself because it's huge. With seven floors, it is easy to spend a whole day in the store. Maps are available as you walk in. The map has detailed information about which departments are on each floor. You can literally find anything your heart desires. From clothing, shoes, accessories, art, appliances, books, gifts, food and more. All your shopping needs will be met at Harrods.
This is a picture of the perfume department.
With over 15 million people visiting on average every year, Harrods is very crowded pretty much everyday. You will find people in just about every department, looking at different products. The staff are all very welcoming and are eager to assist you with all your shopping needs. Shopping at Harrods is like the royal treatment with the fancy designers and boutique-like vibes. There are even restaurants in Harrods ranging from a tea room, ice cream parlor, pizzeria and more.
Macaroons sold in the food department.
Comparing Prices
Since the store is in London, everything for sale is in pounds. Keep this in mind when you are looking at prices of different products. One pound is currently equivalent to 1.30 dollars. If you are using card, you have the option to just pay the U.S. currency for the product. But if you use pounds, then you might save a little bit of money, depending on what you buy.
One example is with a popular handbag designer, Longchamp. The biggest purse they sell in the United States costs $145. In Harrods that same bag costs 75 pounds, which if you convert that to American dollars it's $97.5. Another example is with the shoe brand, Hunter Boots. Their classic tall rain boots in United States costs $150. In Harrods the same rain boots cost 90 pounds, which is equal to $117. So, in some cases it is cheaper to buy things in pounds if possible.
Pictures from inside the department store. Every inch of Harrods is beautiful.
Tax Refund
According to Investopedia, a "value-added tax (VAT) is a type of consumption tax that is placed on a product whenever value is added at a stage of production and at final sale." The European Union uses the VAT tax. The current standard VAT rate is 20 percent. So, the tax is placed on products that are intended to stay in the United Kingdom. If you are just visiting and are leaving the United Kingdom with your purchases, you can get the VAT tax money back.
A nice benefit to buying things at Harrods is that they have a Tax Free Shopping Bureau. After you make your purchases, you can go to the second floor and find this department. You can claim your tax back inside the department. A representative will process your order and give you a receipt. At the airport, you present all your receipts and are given money back from the VAT tax.
The makeup department and women's apparel department at Harrods
Overall
You can easily spend an entire day in Harrods. There are plenty of restaurants and food options to keep you fueled for all the shopping. Each floor offers a wide range of different designer products. You will get lost in the beauty of each department and the staff that drawls you in. Harrods redefines shopping and is something that everyone should experience while visiting London!
