Harrods is probably the world’s most famous shop.For Londoners, there is a love- hate relationship: most say they hate it but then assure you it is the best place for silk socks, toys, flowers, tea or whatever.Its 230 departments on five floors spread over twenty acres where 4 000 staff serve 50 000 customers.There are six restaurants, five bars, a library, bank, pet shop, dry cleaners, everything from Indian cigarettes to domestic equipment to buy, a ticket agency and departments for christening, weddings and funerals.Not content with selling everyone else’s goods, Harrods own-make goods fill an in-house shop and Harrods green buses do London tours.Henry Charles Harrod, a tea merchant, founded the institution with a small grocery shop and was pleased if his weekly takings were twenty pounds.But some years later his son had takings 1000 pounds a week and then lost everything in the fire.Then he wrote to his customers: “I greatly regret to inform you, that in consequence of the above premises being burnt down, your order will be delayed in the execution for a day or two”.Such service drew more buyers.In 1901 the store was designed with mosaic friezes and tiles in the Food Halls.At all times there are so many people in the store that it is easy to lose the way.Information desks inside most entrances will help you to find your way in the stores as well as “The Store Guide”.
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Harrods is probably the world’s most famous shop.For Londoners, there is a love- hate relationship: most say they hate it but then assure you it is the best place for silk socks, toys, flowers, tea or whatever.Its 230 departments on five floors spread over twenty acres where 4 000 staff serve 50 000 customers.There are six restaurants, five bars, a library, bank, pet shop, dry cleaners, everything from Indian cigarettes to domestic equipment to buy, a ticket agency and departments for christening, weddings and funerals.Not content with selling everyone else’s goods, Harrods own-make goods fill an in-house shop and Harrods green buses do London tours.Henry Charles Harrod, a tea merchant, founded the institution with a small grocery shop and was pleased if his weekly takings were twenty pounds.But some years later his son had takings 1000 pounds a week and then lost everything in the fire.Then he wrote to his customers: “I greatly regret to inform you, that in consequence of the above premises being burnt down, your order will be delayed in the execution for a day or two”.Such service drew more buyers.In 1901 the store was designed with mosaic friezes and tiles in the Food Halls.At all times there are so many people in the store that it is easy to lose the way.Information desks inside most entrances will help you to find your way in the stores as well as “The Store Guide”.