Selfridges

With its grand neo-classical facade, Selfridges formidably asserts itself as the centrepiece of Europe's biggest shopping street. Not quite as sensorially overwhelming as Harrods or as calming as John Lewis/Peter Jones, Selfridges combines stateliness and flash. You'll find just about every consumer need catered to — there's a major food hall — but of particularly gay appeal is the first-floor [US = second-floor] men's clothing department, featuring a marked hierarchy of designers — Alexander McQueen, Bottega Veneta, Paul Smith, Tom Ford etc — plus grooming and skin care. And Tom of Finland vodka. Prior to the pandemic, Selfridges lured an estimated 20 million visitors per year. £300 million of renovations finished in 2018. Two phone numbers: 0800 123 400 or 020 7160 6222.