Since our launch in 1909, Selfridges has championed innovation, creativity and fun. We are active supporters of the most exciting emerging artists, designers and creatives working today, and a venue for some of the most amazing moments of retail theatre in the world. From exploding cannons of confetti to cabaret clubs, Selfridges has long been a destination to explore what’s at the forefront of fashion, beauty, food and more.
What makes Selfridges famous around the world?
Our creative campaigns
Every year, we present to the world a series of creative campaigns that provoke thoughts, evoke feelings and give all our customers the chance to be inspired (or simply have some fun) wherever in the world they may be. Here are some highlights…
Supporting the arts: State of the Arts, 2019
We’ve long been a keen promoter of the arts. Our aim is to balance the consumption of goods with the consumption of culture and we treat our stores as public spaces, adaptable galleries where art can be viewed and enjoyed. At the start of 2019, our State of The Arts campaign explored the power of art in unexpected places. The campaign was further depicted in our podcast series, which was filled with creative insights from world-renowned artists and gallerists. We even evolved an Art Trail to discover more about the artists and their work showcased at Selfridges.
Buying Better, Inspiring Change: Bright Young Things & Project Ocean
Our philosophy for sustainability, Buying Better, Inspiring Change, influences every aspect of our activity, from procurement to recycling, and we are determined to do even more in the future. One of our sustainability initiatives is Bright New Things, which sees us showcase a roster of the best emerging sustainable designers of today, each and every season. Our Project Ocean campaign is another long-standing creative campaign focused on sustainability – launched in 2011, the campaign aims to reduce over-fishing and plastic pollution in our seas, which has resulted in us removing all single-use plastic water and carbonated drinks bottles, plastic carrier bags, straws and plastic delivery packaging from our stores.
Christmas at Selfridges
For more than a century, Selfridges’ amazing windows have attracted countless viewers and the number intensifies at Christmas, with themes varying from peace and love to the 12 signs of the zodiac. In store, our festive extravaganzas are just as spectacular. From rock'n'roll parades featuring the coolest Santa on the planet (wearing a personalised leather jacket, no less) to stellar in-store entertainment, no one does Christmas quite like Selfridges.
Selfridges.com and the Selfridges App – delivering to 130 countries
While our stores are famous around the world, it’s our website, app and social channels that allow us to reach out to customers across the globe. From our award-winning podcast series to inspirational editorial features and our Hot Air broadcasting channel, we’re always concocting new ways to inspire our customers.
Our awards
We’re not ones to brag, but since you asked, Selfridges has won several awards, including the Best Department Store in the World (in the Global Department Store Summits 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2018), the World’s Best Department Store Campaign Award in 2017 for our EveryBODYcampaign (at the Global Department Store Summit 2017) and the winner of the World’s Best Sustainability Campaign by a Department Store Award in 2016 (at the Global Department Store Summit 2016). Now, time to dust our trophies…
Our world-famous windows
A destination in their own right, Selfridges' windows have been the centre of attention since Harry Gordon Selfridge began to illuminate them (another Selfridges first) more than a century ago. We like to view them as giant postcards, blending the best in art, design and fashion, to tell magical stories.