Selfridges to top £1bn in sales for first time

Selfridges is this week expected to celebrate topping £1billion in sales for the first time.

The high end department store, which has a flagship outlet in London’s Oxford Street, has also enjoyed a five per cent increase in its operating profits, figures published this week are set to show.

The store, owned by the billionaire Weston dynasty since 2003, also has two outlets in Manchester and one in Birmingham and is planning an ambitious programme of investment over coming years.

Selfridges has grown into a world-renowned brand since it made its first sales on March 15 1909 after throwing open its doors with an elaborate ceremony engineered by founder Henry Gordon Selfridge, who also initiated the first of its famous eye-catching window displays.

In 2009, Selfridges bucked retail trends by celebrating sales rising by six per cent to £809 million and profit growing by eight per cent to £88.1 million.

Last year the store came under fire from animal rights campaigners after it emerged it was selling foie gras “under the counter” two years after pledging not to stock the product.

In the same year the store showcased underwater coral as part of Project Ocean, a scheme designed to help promote sustainable fishing.

Big draws at the store this year have included a rooftop crazy golf course. More unusual items that can currently be found in the food hall include edible caterpillars and scorpions.

Galen Weston bought the Selfridges group for more than £600m and has since restored the Grade II listed Oxford Street building.

Jace Tyrrell, director of communications for the New West End Company, which represents retailers, said: “The West End’s global appeal with the largest collection of international brands and exclusive products is evident with the robust results from Selfridges, a world-renowned store that goes from strength to strength.”