Iconic British department store Selfridges offers a shopping experience that ticks every box.
Founded by Harry Gordon Selfridge in 1908, the store has built a strong reputation over the years as a destination for not just shopping, but also for art, culture, and unique experiences.
With everything from luxury fashion, beauty, homewares and food through to the latest trends-driven high street brands, it’s a must-visit destination for shoppers that’s also built a strong reputation for art, culture, and unique experiences.
Tips for shopping at Selfridges
There’s so much going on at Selfridges it can be easy to get overwhelmed by what’s on offer. There are some tips and tricks to make navigating the store and getting through your shopping even more enjoyable. Here’s our tips for shopping at Selfridges and making the most of your visit.
Plan your visit
Before embarking on your shopping spree, it’s crucial to understand the store’s layout and offerings, as Selfridges can be an overwhelming place without proper planning. Familiarise yourself with the store’s various departments and the brands available to make your visit smoother and more time-efficient. The store also has regular pop ups and events, so it makes sense to check what’s going on in advance.
Selfridges has major flagship locations in London, Birmingham and Manchester, each with its own unique layout and selection of departments:
- London: The Selfridges London is the largest and most famous store, housing numerous departments such as fashion, beauty, food, and technology. Key areas to explore include the Food Hall, Designer Galleries and Beauty Workshop, providing an array of products and services.
- Birmingham: Located in the iconic Bullring Shopping Centre, Selfridges Birmingham offers a great selection of fashion, beauty, and technology departments. Discover Rabanne Beauty for a luxury treat, or visit Jackson Boxer at The Corner for an experimental and seasonal menu to enhance your shopping experience.
- Manchester: There are two Selfridges stores in Manchester – Exchange Square and Trafford. Both locations offer a variety of departments, including fashion, beauty, home, and technology.
To navigate within each store, make use of the store directories and maps available throughout the building. These resources can help guide you to specific departments, locate amenities, and identify any special events or promotions happening in-store.
Choose the best time to shop
When planning a trip to Selfridges, it’s important to consider the best time to shop. Although the store is open throughout the week, weekdays are generally less busy. Taking advantage of weekday off-peak hours, particularly in the mornings, might help you to avoid large crowds and make your shopping experience more enjoyable.
Weekends, especially Saturdays, tend to be the busiest shopping days, so you may want to avoid these times if you’re looking for a more relaxed environment. Again, check out what’s going on at the store when you’re planning to visit to avoid arriving at busy times if that isn’t what you want.
Max out on their rewards programme
Selfridges recently unveiled their Selfridges Unlocked loyalty scheme. It can be used online and in store to get rewards like free shipping, prizes and competitions along with first access to events, services and product launches. It’s inspired by the day Selfridges opened in 1909, when founder Harry Gordon Selfridge handed out keys to the first customers who visited the store.
You can apply to be a Keyholder on their website and download the app to your phone for a unique keyholder that gets scanned in store. Selfridges will also automatically make a donation to its charity partner Centrepoint on behalf of the customer after each purchase.
Take advantage of their personal shopping service
For a more personalised and efficient visit, consider using the Selfridges personal shopping service. By booking a two-hour consultation with an experienced style consultant, you can receive expert advice tailored to your needs and preferences.
There are dedicated suites available for your personal shopping appointments, offering a luxurious and private environment to try on outfits and receive feedback from your style consultant. If you’re visiting with friends they can enjoy a comfortable sitting area complete with champagne and plush armchairs.
Check out Click & Collect
If you’re short on time, prefer to shop online or there’s something really specific you have in mind then Click & Collect at Selfridges might be your answer. This means you can shop at selfridges.com and collect your purchases at a time that suits you, so you can spend the rest of your time browsing, trying on and heading to the food hall or restaurants.
Not going to make it in store? Selfridges also offer international delivery options on their website if you’re not going to have the in-shopping experience. This can be a great option if you want to shop the sale but you’re not feeling the hustle and bustle of sales shopping in person.
Policies you need to know
It also makes sense to familiarise yourself with the processes and policies that’ll affect your shopping experience. Here’s what you need to know – check the website ahead of your visit if you need to make sure these are still in place.
Return and exchange policy
At Selfridges, they prioritise customer satisfaction and offer a comprehensive return and exchange policy. Customers have the right to return or exchange items within 28 days of purchase, provided that the items are unused, in their original packaging, and accompanied by a valid receipt.
Keep in mind that some items might be excluded from this policy, such as perishable goods, personalised items, and products with hygiene concerns (e.g., underwear, swimwear, and cosmetics). Always double-check the specific guidelines for the product you intend to return.
Duty-free shopping
For international shoppers, Selfridges offers a duty-free shopping experience in-store. Non-UK residents may claim back Value Added Tax (VAT) on eligible items, provided that they are exported from the UK within three months of purchase. There are tax-free lounges in store to help with this.
To benefit from this service, customers must provide proof of non-EU residency and complete the required paperwork at the time of payment. Afterwards, they can claim their VAT refund at the airport when leaving the UK. Remember that not all items qualify for duty-free shopping, and terms may vary depending on the destination country.
Payment options
Selfridges offer different payment methods to make your transaction as smooth as possible. Selfridges accepts a variety of credit and debit cards such as American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, Delta, and Maestro. Additionally, electronic payment options include PayPal and Alipay for the convenience of their customers.
Selfridges has also partnered with Klarna. Klarna Checkout allows customers to shop with ease while providing a convenient and fast payment experience. With Klarna, you can buy a product and pay for it at a later date, spreading out the cost of larger purchases. This way, you can focus on selecting the perfect items without worrying about immediate payment.
How to enjoy shopping at Selfridges
Shopping at Selfridges isn’t just about shopping – it’s a visit to a historical, cultural and stylish destination. To make the most of your visit, remember to plan ahead, take advantage of their loyalty scheme for exclusive benefits and don’t be scared to ask for help from the experienced staff on hand.
Whether you’re an international visitor or based more locally, you’ll find something you want at the store, it’s just important not to get overwhelmed and to enjoy the experience during your visit.
