Fortnum & Mason news and archive

Fortnum’s leads the business of holiday windows in London

In the context of tight consumer sentiment and considerable cost pressure in fashion and luxury retail this year, one category of investment that continues to command attention is the annual Christmas window display. For those of us operating in the design-driven intersection of fashion, lifestyle and retail activation, London’s flagship stores...

Fashion

Fortnum & Mason’s autumn windows blend sustainability with sculptural storytelling

Fortnum & Mason’s latest autumn window display at their Piccadilly flagship offers more than seasonal spectacle, it is a lesson in resourceful elegance. Sculpted entirely from reclaimed in-store materials, the series of animal figures, elephants, dung beetles, vulture, octopus, and more, both captivates and communicates the rare alchemy of...

People

Walpole names Fortnum & Mason CEO as chair

Luxury trade association Walpole has named Tom Athron as its new chair, a role he will take up from July 1. Athron, who currently serves as chief executive of Fortnum & Mason, will succeed Michael Ward, managing director of Harrods, who is stepping down after finishing the maximum tenure of nine years. Ward will continue on in the newly created...

Featured

Retail

New ranking unveils the best department stores in the world

Think back to the best department store experience you've ever had—what made it truly unforgettable? Was it the store’s location, its design, the variety of brands, or the customer service? Whatever the reason, department stores have always been at the heart of the shopping world, doubling up as must-visit landmarks and key destinations for a...

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Retail

Fortnum & Mason's theatrical windows signal luxury retail's Holiday strategy

In a challenging retail landscape where department stores increasingly struggle with footfall, Fortnum & Mason has unveiled an ambitious Christmas window display at its Piccadilly flagship, underlining the crucial importance of the festive season for luxury retail revenues. The 316-year-old retailer, which holds two Royal Warrants, has leveraged...

Culture

Fortnum & Mason collaborates with 6 artists for Valentine's Day campaign

Fortnum & Mason has launched an expansive Valentine's Day campaign, titled "Unleash the Love," spanning its Piccadilly store. The central atrium boasts an artistic display of floating hearts, inviting customers to contribute by decorating a large heart with bespoke stickers. Collaborating with six street artists, including ALO, Olly Howe, Luap,...

Retail

Fortnum & Mason to open first overseas standalone store in Hong Kong

Luxury British department store Fortnum & Mason is to open its first standalone store outside of Britain this year at Hong Kong’s Victoria Dockside development. Set to open in September, the new store will span 7,000 square feet, feature a restaurant and a tea room, and will create around 90 jobs, according to the company, who said the move...

Retail

Fortnum & Mason to open new store at The Royal Exchange

Luxury department store Fortnum & Mason is set to open a new store at The Royal Exchange in London. Set to open in October, the new store will span 2, 368 square feet and offer a select edit of products. The new store marks Fortnum & Mason's fourth UK store, in addition to its flagship store at Piccadilly and two smaller branches at Heathrow...

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Business

Fortnum & Mason Christmas like-for-like sales up 13 percent

Fortnum & Mason has announced that impressive sales growth across every channel, fuelled by a significant rise in domestic custom at its flagship store, has led the company to a record trading performance over the Christmas period. In the five-week period ending December 31, Fortnum's like-for-like sales were up 13 percent. Commenting on the...

Culture

Fortnum & Mason launch art exhibition

British heritage retailer Fortnum & Mason is turn its iconic Piccadilly department store into a bonafide art gallery. The store will house art installations as part of a collaboration with collector Frank Cohen for the second year running. Ahead of the Frieze London Art Fair in October, Fortum's will show the work of Scottish artist John...

Retail

Ghurka celebrates 40th anniversary with debut London store opening

Leather goods label Ghurka is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year with the opening of its first store in London. The American-heritage brand, which is said to have been inspired by the British Brigade of Gurkhas unit that originally served in the British Indian Army prior to Indian independence and the East India Company, which is also...

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Business

Fortnum & Mason see record profits

Fortnum & Mason, one of London's finest department stores, has reported record full-year pre-tax profits more than doubling to 3.8 million pounds on the back of expansion both at home and abroad. In the 12 months to July 31, sales jumped 14 percent to 74.4 million pounds as online sales soared 25 percent. Chief executive Ewan Venters said: “The...