Selfridges makes record sales as Oxford Street accessories wow department store customers
Selfridges has thrilled its way to a record year of sales, driven by accessories such as an indoor skate bowl.
Customers were happy to go along for the ride for the 12 months until February, with the department store raking in a whopping £1.85bn sales, a six per cent increase on the previous year.
Read more: Selfridges posts record operating profit as investment programme pays off
The Oxford Street mainstay rang the changes by overhauling its Duke Street entrance, installing a giant, 60,000 sq ft accessories hall.
It even revamped its mens’ designer room with a skate bowl, complete with professional skateboarders on hand to give lessons.
All of this helped push operating profit to £170m for the year – a slight decline on the previous year.
The fall reflected the level of investment across the firm, Selfridges said.
It also poured money into its digital operations, android app and Chinese language website.
Managing director Simon Forster said the results showed Selfridges was “the ultimate department store”.
“We are a global brand investing in our stores and digital to share our customer experience and innovation.”
Read more: Selfridges to open permanent cinema on Oxford Street
The firm has more plans to upgrade its store this year, with a permanent cinema due to open next month – just in time for the Christmas rush.
Forster added: “Our results demonstrate strong sales and profits and we are confident that the launch of our Cinema, Toy Store and Christmas theme, Future Fantasy, will support further growth through 2019.”