As entrenched in English life as Buckingham Palace and the Ascot Races, Harrods has remained London's premier retail outlet through constant innovation and evolution. Goods are spread across 300 departments, and the range, variety, and quality can still dazzle the visiting out-of-towner. One floor is devoted to sports and leisure, another to Toy Kingdom, along with children's wear. The Egyptian Hall, on the ground floor, sells crystal from Lalique and Baccarat and porcelain. You have a choice of more than twenty restaurants, cafes and bars. Best of all are the Food Halls, with a huge variety of foods and several cafes. Harrods began as a grocer in 1849, and that's still the heart of the business. The motto remains, "If you can eat or drink it, you'll find it at Harrods."

The existing Knightsbridge store was opened in the 1880's with the rear section added in 1932. "Harvey Nicks" has its own gourmet food hall and fancy restaurant, The Fifth Floor, and a huge store crammed with the best designer home furnishings, gifts, and fashions for all, although women's clothing is the largest segment of its business. The store carries many famous designer brands such as Marc Jacobs, Yves Saint Laurent, Rive Gauche, Missoni, Roberto Cavalli, Dolce & Gabbana, Comme des Garcons.

In the year 1760 William Hamley, a Cornishman from Bodmin, moved to London and opened a toy store. No-one knows why he decided on such a radical change, but his ambition to fill his shop with the newest and finest toys in the world was fulfilled. The fashionable of London flocked to his store and his reputation grew. Hamleys moved to its current home in 1981, and today, with around 5 million visitors a year, is established as one of Londons major tourist attractions. The store continues William Hamleys tradition of supplying the finest toys in the world and making shopping fun.