Selfridges defies High Street gloom

Selfridges has bucked the gloom on the High Street by raking in record sales.

The department store chain shrugged off the retail malaise to increase sales by 6pc to £1.85bn for the year to february 2019.

But profits slipped to £170m, from £175m the previous year, as it increased investment.

Selfridges said the number of shoppers rose after it improved customer experiences, an example being the launch of a skate bowl on its new menswear floor at its Oxford Street store.

it also heavily invested in the opening of its Brasserie of light restaurant last year, which has mirrored walls. Outside london, it completed a beauty hall and expanded the accessories hall at its Manchester Trafford store.

its investments will see the flagship Oxford Street shop become the first department store in the world with a cinema from November.