100 shops you must visit 2008

10 CORSO COMO
Milan, Italy

“This is an independent store founded in 1991 by Carla Sozzani. It’s all in the editing; it has the most fabulous lifestyle collection of beautiful pieces you can imagine, including clothing, furniture, photographs, books and so on.”
Nick Samuel
Chief executive, Hobbs

“It’s my favourite shop because of its unique product offer that varies from toys for boys and gadgets to elegant and cool clothing, with always a must-have item.”
Philip Mountford
Chief executive, Moss Bros

LL BEAN
Freeport, Maine, US

“Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, this is the megastore for the advanced backwoodsman and the suburban trekker. A passion for the outdoors, expert assistance in every department and a big programme of events and activities delivers the essence of New England.”
Philip Downer
Chief executive, Borders UK

NET-A-PORTER
Online

“There are a few bricks-and-mortar stores I love and could nominate, both in the UK and internationally, but I’ve chosen this cyberspace one for its global accessibility, service, product offer and out-of-the box thinking.”
Kim Winser
Chief executive, Aquascutum

ISETAN DEPARTMENT STORE
Shinjuku, Tokyo

“It has the world’s best service and a mouthwatering food hall.”
Andy Street
Managing director, John Lewis

SELFRIDGES
Birmingham

“It has a great design, really good food offer and it has done a great job in bringing in the right mix of merchandise that reflects the trends and needs of the local area.”
Mark Smith
Managing director, Claire’s UK & Europe

RALPH LAUREN
Fulham Road, London

“I can spend an hour just browsing, it’s fantastic.”
Richard Kirk
Chief executive, Peacocks

“I am a big fan of any of the Ralph Lauren stores. They’ve got a good feel about them, it’s about great product and the lifestyle.”
Harold Tillman
Chairman, Jaeger

ZARA

“Genius. What the fashion industry is all about.”
Sir Philip Green
Owner, Arcadia

PAUL SMITH
Online

“This site has the best gift ideas for men of all ages. You go online, there are drawings of products and you can get items gift wrapped and sent directly to that person. It has a 100 per cent hit rate with all family and friends I’ve bought for and the brand reputation and quality is guaranteed.”
Julia Reynolds
Chief executive, Figleaves.com

FULTONS INTERIORS
Belfast

“This is an inspirational shopping experience I would recommend to anyone. It’s a store that has got it just right. Not only that but, because it is based at a retail park, access and parking is easy. It has
spared no expense on fitting the shop out, from the Aladdin’s cave of everything you could ever possibly want for the home on the ground floor through to the exquisite displays, beautifully laid-out roomsets and the impressive restaurant, where you can enjoy a tasty lunch to a pianist’s music on the upper floor. This interiors store really is the ultimate shopping experience.”
Nick Worthington
Chief executive, Dreams

MOSS
SoHo, New York

“Because the obsession of its owner Murry Moss is bordering on madness. This store, which sells curated furniture and general objects for the home is a brilliantly presented store. A must-visit for any retailer.”
Neil Clifford
Chief executive, Kurt Geiger

MANCHESTER UNITED MEGASTORE
Manchester

“It’s genuinely distinctive – a destination store – and has a monumental sales per square foot an hour, when it’s open.”
Alan White
Chief executive, N Brown

THE FINE CHEESE SHOP
Bath

“It not only has the finest selection of West Country cheeses, such as Stinking Bishop and Keen’s Cheddar, but you can happily spend hours tasting the amazing array of new and old international cheeses.”
David Simons
Director, Woolworths

FALLON & BYRNE
Exchequer Street, Dublin

“It’s a food shop with a restaurant and is just a very cool place.”
Paul Kelly
Chief executive, Selfridges

BAMFORD & SONS
Sloane Square, London

“It combines beautiful clothes with delicious food – my two favourite things – at eye-watering prices.”
Nick Wheeler
Founder, Charles Tyrwhitt

SAKKS MENSWEAR
Shamrock Quay, Southampton

“It’s an independent I have been going to for 10 years, mainly because it stocks a great range of brands, they’ll make you a cup of tea and will take up jeans and trousers while you wait.”
Steve Robinson
Chief executive, M and M Direct

ARMANI STORE, SECOND LIFE
Online

“It is a great example of brands diversifying into a virtual world. Lucky browsers may find an avatar of Georgio Armani in the store, allowing consumers the kind of interaction that would be impossible in real life. Generating brand-loyal consumers before they have left their armchair is a strong marketing tool with clear potential for the retail sector.”
Gary Favell
Chief executive, MFI

B&H
Manhattan, New York

“This will get me into trouble: it is a camera retailer. I went out there before we designed our store and it was a great shopping experience. Thankfully, what I saw there was very similar to what we had been thinking and talking about. There is not a store like it in the industry; at 10am on a Thursday morning people were having to queue outside to get in. I believe they turn over in excess of US$150 million just in
this store.”
Colin McCarthy
Chief executive, Warehouse Express

RALPH LAUREN
Bond Street, London

“This is a store that just exudes class, with stylish fittings that capture beautifully the bygone Hollywood age of Clark Gable and others. There is a spacious feel to the place and the product is well presented. Staff are confident but approachable and make a good effort of personalising your shopping experience. With its distinctive personality, it clearly presents its brand positioning.”
Mike Trotman,
Finance director, TM Lewin

HARRODS
London

“Because I love the cosmetics hall.”
Rose Foster
Chief executive, La Senza

“Not only is it an amazing place for food, but it’s an amazing experience and tourist attraction.”
Tom Devine
Director of consumer sales, Vodafone

TRILOGY
Chelsea, London

“A relatively new entrant to the market. Its first store opened in 2007 in the Duke of York Square in Chelsea and it has just opened a second shop on Weymouth Street just off Marylebone High Street. It has created a beautiful boutique environment, has a stunning collection of brands and it has already established an amazing reputation for its customer service. I believe it’s a business destined to grow.”
Guy Critchlow
Managing director, KookaÏ UK

DEAN & DELUCA
SoHo, New York

“It’s a traditional-looking store with fantastic displays of fruit and vegetables – it is excellent at creating in-store theatre and we can all learn a lot from it.”
Caroline Gooding
Managing director, As Nature Intended

BOROUGH MARKET
London

“Not so much a shop, but a retail experience like no other. The array of food and wine on offer is quite simply fantastic.”
Peter Marks
Chief executive, The Co-operative Group

AVOCA
Suffolk Street, Dublin

“It’s a mixed retail offer based around Irish fashion, food, restaurant, gift and household and garden products. What I like about it is its quirkiness
and retail inspiration. It’s individual – and it’s
not planogrammed.”
Derek Hughes
Chief executive, Hughes & Hughes

TRI AND RUN
Wimbledon

“Every visit is an inspiration. It’s a specialist triathlon shop that sells everything from bikes to running shoes to swimming aids. Whether you are a novice or a hardcore triathlete, the team are genuine specialists at getting you the equipment and providing the advice you need.
The staff are all passionate sports enthusiasts in their own right and really have the customer interest at heart.”
Peter Keenan
Managing director, Currys

THE WHITE COMPANY
Online

“The reason I really like it is for its seamless multichannel experience – catalogue/web/store – a really good understanding of and strong focus on core customer needs and its excellent customer service – store staff, call centre, product presentation and packaging. All things we’d aspire to for Argos of course, albeit in a somewhat different part of the market.”
Sara Weller
Chief executive, Argos

RIPPON CHEESE STORE
Pimlico, London

“Tucked away in Upper Tachbrook Street, Pimlico, is the Rippon Cheese Store. It is an old-fashioned cheese shop devoted entirely to real cheeses, unpackaged and freshly presented. Anyone going in comes out clutching more than they intended to buy. There is an extensive range, but none of the desultory ageing wedges you see on the standard deli counter. It is a triumph of authenticity over packaging and an illustration of how service drives sales.”
Archie Norman
Deputy chairman, Coles

PLAY LOUNGE
Soho, London

“This is the nearest to a grown-up toy shop you’ll ever find and it challenges the notion that toys are just for kids. It’s truly an Aladdin’s cave, packed with limited-edition urban art toys, diverse design and fun little finds. The space gives you a licence to play, regardless of your age.”
Michael Smith
Chief executive, Firebox.com

WILSON’S FARM MARKET
Outside Boston

“The most cornucopic farm shop you will ever see, specialising in fruit and veg – much of which is grown on its farm.”
Mark Price
Managing director, Waitrose

RICHER SOUNDS

“Julian [Richer] carries on year in, year out, giving customers what they want – cutting-edge products at terrific prices, backed up by great product knowledge and service. Honest retailing at its best, Julian’s business has been an inspiration for so many other great retailers – Archie Norman, Justin King, Richard Baker, etc.”
Richard Pennycook
Finance director, Morrisons

WILLIAMS-SONOMA
United States

“I always visit it on my trips to the US and buy something on every visit. It does seasonality very well, always offering fresh stories that are merchandised well. There is a consistency to quality of products and customer service. It also does multichannel very well, with seamless integration of e-commerce, mail order catalogue and bricks-and-mortar retail.”
Catie Callender
Managing director EMEA, Crabtree & Evelyn

Tokyu Hands
Tokyo

“It sells a huge selections of things like pens, pen knives and note books. There is such a big choice – keeping inventory and stock
must be phenomenal.”
Sir Paul Smith
Founder, Paul Smith

“It’s an incredible mix of DIY, gifts, stationery, dressing-up clothes. It’s so wacky it’s fabulous and encapsulates all that is Japanese. It’s the sort of store you wander around and it makes you smile.”
Pamela Harper
Chief executive, Theo Fennell

“It’s an Aladdin’s cave of the latest cool stuff, with an unbelievable breadth of range of the most obscure things. Who else stocks a wide range of snow globes and has more than 30 different flight pillows for sale? I defy anybody not to spend hours in that store.”
Colin Temple
Managing director, Schuh

ABT ELECTRONICS
Chicago

“This is a true destination store, stocking an incredible range of products in its showroom on the outskirts of Chicago. Family owned since 1936, it’s simply a great place to shop, with enthusiastic staff, fantastic service and competitive pricing. It is a source of real inspiration for me every time I visit.”
Hugh Harvey
Managing director, Comet

BROOKS BROTHERS
Fifth Avenue, New York

“Great value shirts with currency at these levels.”
Michael Ziff
Executive chairman, Stylo

BAPE (A BATHING APE)
Shibuya, Tokyo

“The majority of my favourite stores are in Tokyo and it was a hard choice between the Pierre Hermes boutique in Aoyama and the BAPE store in Shibuya, but I’ll opt for the latter for sheer excitement and theatre.”
Guy Salter
Deputy chairman, Walpole British Luxury

FALLON & BYRNE
Exchequer Street, Dublin

“It’s a food shop with a restaurant and is just a very cool place.”
Paul Kelly
Chief executive, Selfridges

BAMFORD & SONS
Sloane Square, London

“It combines beautiful clothes with delicious food – my two favourite things – at eye-watering prices.”
Nick Wheeler
Founder, Charles Tyrwhitt

SAKKS MENSWEAR
Shamrock Quay, Southampton

“It’s an independent I have been going to for 10 years, mainly because it stocks a great range of brands, they’ll make you a cup of tea and will take up jeans and trousers while you wait.”
Steve Robinson
Chief executive, M and M Direct

ARMANI STORE, SECOND LIFE
Online

“It is a great example of brands diversifying into a virtual world. Lucky browsers may find an avatar of Georgio Armani in the store, allowing consumers the kind of interaction that would be impossible in real life. Generating brand-loyal consumers before they have left their armchair is a strong marketing tool with clear potential for the retail sector.”
Gary Favell
Chief executive, MFI

B&H
Manhattan, New York

“This will get me into trouble: it is a camera retailer. I went out there before we designed our store and it was a great shopping experience. Thankfully, what I saw there was very similar to what we had been thinking and talking about. There is not a store like it in the industry; at 10am on a Thursday morning people were having to queue outside to get in. I believe they turn over in excess of US$150 million just in this store.”
Colin McCarthy
Chief executive, Warehouse Express

RALPH LAUREN
Bond Street, London

“This is a store that just exudes class, with stylish fittings that capture beautifully the bygone Hollywood age of Clark Gable and others. There is a spacious feel to the place and the product is well presented. Staff are confident but approachable and make a good effort of personalising your shopping experience. With its distinctive personality, it clearly presents its brand positioning.”
Mike Trotman,
Finance director, TM Lewin

HARRODS
London

“Because I love the cosmetics hall.”
Rose Foster
Chief executive, La Senza

“Not only is it an amazing place for food, but it’s an amazing experience and tourist attraction.”
Tom Devine
Director of consumer sales, Vodafone

DFS

“It makes good furniture look fantastic. The way it builds colour schemes in rooms and makes showrooms look like rooms.”
Lord Harris of Peckham
Chairman and chief executive, Carpetright

TRILOGY
Chelsea, London

“A relatively new entrant to the market. Its first store opened in 2007 in the Duke of York Square in Chelsea and it has just opened a second shop on Weymouth Street just off Marylebone High Street. It has created a beautiful boutique environment, has a stunning collection of brands and it has already established an amazing reputation for its customer service. I believe it’s a business destined to grow.”
Guy Critchlow
Managing director, KookaÏ UK

DEAN & DELUCA
SoHo, New York

“It’s a traditional-looking store with fantastic displays of fruit and vegetables – it is excellent at creating in-store theatre and we can all learn a lot from it.”
Caroline Gooding
Managing director, As Nature Intended

BOROUGH MARKET
London

“Not so much a shop, but a retail experience like no other. The array of food and wine on offer is quite simply fantastic.”
Peter Marks
Chief executive, The Co-operative Group

AVOCA
Suffolk Street, Dublin

“It’s a mixed retail offer based around Irish fashion, food, restaurant, gift and household and garden products. What I like about it is its quirkiness and retail inspiration. It’s individual – and it’s not planogrammed.”
Derek Hughes
Chief executive, Hughes & Hughes

TRI AND RUN
Wimbledon

“Every visit is an inspiration. It’s a specialist triathlon shop that sells everything from bikes to running shoes to swimming aids. Whether you are a novice or a hardcore triathlete, the team are genuine specialists at getting you the equipment and providing the advice you need. The staff are all passionate sports enthusiasts in their own right and really have the customer interest at heart.”
Peter Keenan
Managing director, Currys

THE WHITE COMPANY
Online

“The reason I really like it is for its seamless multichannel experience – catalogue/web/store – a really good understanding of and strong focus on core customer needs and its excellent customer service – store staff, call centre, product presentation and packaging. All things we’d aspire to for Argos of course, albeit in a somewhat different part of the market.”
Sara Weller
Chief executive, Argos

RIPPON CHEESE STORE
Pimlico, London

“Tucked away in Upper Tachbrook Street, Pimlico, is the Rippon Cheese Store. It is an old-fashioned cheese shop devoted entirely to real cheeses, unpackaged and freshly presented. Anyone going in comes out clutching more than they intended to buy. There is an extensive range, but none of the desultory ageing wedges you see on the standard deli counter. It is a triumph of authenticity over packaging and an illustration of how service drives sales.”
Archie Norman
Deputy chairman, Coles

PLAY LOUNGE
Soho, London

“This is the nearest to a grown-up toy shop you’ll ever find and it challenges the notion that toys are just for kids. It’s truly an Aladdin’s cave, packed with limited-edition urban art toys, diverse design and fun little finds. The space gives you a licence to play, regardless of your age.”
Michael Smith
Chief executive, Firebox.com

WILSON’S FARM MARKET
Outside Boston

“The most cornucopic farm shop you will ever see, specialising in fruit and veg – much of which is grown on its farm.”
Mark Price
Managing director, Waitrose

RICHER SOUNDS

“Julian [Richer] carries on year in, year out, giving customers what they want – cutting-edge products at terrific prices, backed up by great product knowledge and service. Honest retailing at its best, Julian’s business has been an inspiration for so many other great retailers – Archie Norman, Justin King, Richard Baker, etc.”
Richard Pennycook
Finance director, Morrisons

WILLIAMS-SONOMA
United States

“I always visit it on my trips to the US and buy something on every visit. It does seasonality very well, always offering fresh stories that are merchandised well. There is a consistency to quality of products and customer service. It also does multichannel very well, with seamless integration of e-commerce, mail order catalogue and bricks-and-mortar retail.”
Catie Callender
Managing director EMEA, Crabtree & Evelyn

JAMES SMITH & SONS UMBRELLAS
New Oxford Street, London

“I have driven past James Smith’s umbrella shop on New Oxford Street for years. One wet July day last year I went in out of curiosity. Inside it was a charming shop, run by people who love what they do and are keen to help. The products are varied and wonderful. I now own three different umbrellas that I don’t really need. In a retail scene increasingly dominated by one-stop generalists, this is a refreshing sign that there is plenty of life left in the specialist store that sells one thing and does it extremely well.”
Neil Gillis
Chief executive, Blacks

ETRO
Milan

“The one store in the world that shows the whole cornucopia of Etro’s colourful range.”
Peter Williams
Chief executive, Alpha Group

CO-OP BARNEYS
Lower Manhattan, New York

“An offshoot of retail giant Barneys, the Co-op is an inspirational space that showcases the best in fashion design – from the newest labels through to niche brands and the fashion greats. With impressive, slightly quirky visual merchandising and a strong menswear and beauty offer, it’s always a port of call for me when I’m in New York.”
Robert Bready
Product and trading director, Asos

JOHN LEWIS
Oxford Street

“For choice and great customer service and because they send larger items on to my home in Guernsey promptly and efficiently. I love the concept of the staff being partners, so much so that we encourage the Specsavers Group to emulate this ethos.”
Dame Mary Perkins
Co-founder, Specsavers

“For me, it’s just about the after-sales service.”
Joseph Wan
Group chief executive, Harvey Nichols

STRAND BOOKSTORE
New York

“It is the ultimate category killer, with 18 miles of books on five floors it combines world-beating range with expert and accessible service for the serious book addict. It also has an excellent web site delivering worldwide.”
Jeremy Seigal
Chief executive, AS Watson, Health & Beauty UK

MARKS & SPENCER

“Marks & Spencer is the only retailer with such elasticity it is able to sell t-shirts for a few pounds and then cashmere for a few hundred pounds.”
Touker Suleyman
Chairman, Hawes & Curtis

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
New York

“It’s got heritage, it’s got style and it’s got unquestionable class.”
Matt Chambers
Brand director, House of Fraser

CYCLE SOLUTIONS
Newfoundland, Canada

“It’s a sports shop – my passion. It’s run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. Proper retailing and it shows one-man stores can thrive.”
Andy Bond
Chief executive, Asda

HOLYFIELD
Tokyo

“It’s a tiny beautiful-looking traditional wooden shop in the Daikanyama area of Tokyo, selling the most amazing children’s clothes. Every time I go I buy something for my son, this time some selvedge jeans. It always has great sweatshirts and t-shirts and the display and service are very Japanese.”
Simon Coble
Chief executive, Uniqlo UK

ROBERT FULLER
Banstead, Surrey

“It provides probably the best selection of designer men’s clothing you’ll find anywhere outside the West End and definitely the best service. It always provides interesting product and great service. A joy to shop in every time.”
Peter Harrison
Managing director, Furniture Village

CRATE & BARREL

“For inspiration, signage, communication to customers and choice. It really is of a high standard.”
Jim Hodkinson
Chairman, Wyevale

WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Austin, Texas

“This food store gives you the ultimate in abundance, range innovation, in-store theatre and organic/green credentials; a fine example of a concept executed confidently and without compromise.”
Simon Burke
Chairman, Superquinn and Majestic Wine

“Whole Foods Market knows exactly what its core purpose is and sticks to it, being highly selective about what it sells and committed to quality and supporting sustainability. I know it is still finding its feet in the UK, but the stores in the US are a real experience – always trying new things and demonstrating new products. I always come out having spent far too much money and having loved the experience.”
Euan Sutherland
Chief executive, Kingfisher UK

RON JON SURF SHOP
Cocoa Beach, Florida

“Not only is this a real destination store for the water sports and beach enthusiast, it is also a store with real personality and retail theatre and has become a major tourist attraction. It has a fantastic product range, great customer service and offers every conceivable service from hire products through to lessons for all beach sports.”
Rob Templeman
Chief executive, Debenhams

APPLE STORE
Fifth Avenue, New York

“Apple has implemented the three key factors in
retail: excitement, education and ease. It makes your life easy, the store is exciting and people are available to educate you. The outside is unique. It is transparent, features a glass cube and has no ground floor, only basement. This represents the transparency of the retailer itself and the design is in line with the DNA of the brand.”
Geoffroy de la Bourdonnaye
Chief executive, Liberty

OPENING CEREMONY
New York

“For its original approach to retailing – it takes a different country theme each season and totally revamps the store with new stock and a new vibe, keeping everything fresh.”
Stephen Marks
Chairman and chief executive, French Connection

E-MART
South Korea

“Because of the way it combines two strong retail formats; a large-scale hypermarket with fresh food street market-style, staff shouting out their wares like street hawkers, hot food sampling every few feet and an incredible flair for merchandising fresh food.”
Ian Cheshire
Group chief executive, Kingfisher

NIKE TOWN
Oxford Circus, London

“I’m into sports of all kinds. This store has such
novel, high-impact displays and gives space to
each department.”
David Stead
Finance director, Dunelm

CAMPER
London

“Unique, quality products at very reasonable prices. Products are always innovating. The kids’ range launched recently has sorted my kids for summer sandals. Availability is up there with the best. Service is always first rate, with an excellent returns/guarantee policy. Design is simple and it changes – check out their current wall designs using flipcharts.”
Simon Douglas
Chief executive, Zavvi

SECOND TIME AROUND
Boston

“There are actually two locations on Newbury Street, arguably the hippest street in Boston. It carries luxury designer fashions that have been recycled from your friend’s closet. Not only do I love its fashion eye, I love to people-watch the shoppers that are in there browsing. They are among the most creative and confident shoppers around.”
Miriam Lahage
Chief executive, Koodos.com

PETER JONES
London

“Why is it so great? It has strong range and availability and excellent service.”
Marc Bolland
Chief executive, Morrisons

KITCHENS
Bath

“It is an Aladdin’s cave of kitchen equipment – whatever you want, they seem to have it (last year I got a cherry de-stoner there). And while it has real character, with floors on different levels, traditional goods and great stuff piled everywhere, it also has a very up-to-date range of kitchen equipment. Every time I visit Bath I go.”
Jonathan Hook
Managing director, Neal’s Yard Remedies

THE GADGET SHOP
Online

“It has all sorts of innovative, interesting junk.”
Andy Clarke
Retail director, Asda

ENDLESS
Online shoe and handbag specialist, US

“Great choice and content. I really like this site and think that Amazon [which owns and runs the site] continues to do a great job.”
Andrew Doe
Chief executive, Gurgle.com, Mothercare

LOBLAWS
Forrest Hill Market, Toronto

“The best fresh food hall in the world.”
Allan Leighton
Chairman, Royal Mail

MANNS OF CRANLEIGH
Cranleigh, Surrey

“I should take our buyers to see it. Whoever buys for this shop is a very talented retailer. It’s a great shop.”
Steven Round
Chief executive, Robert Dyas

RUNNING BEAR
Alderley Edge, Cheshire

“Tony Hulme and his team offer great advice on what is the right shoe, watching you run in the street, trying on 20 pairs if necessary before they are happy. They have knowledge, enthusiasm and great product in abundance. Great advice is offered to novice runners like me.”
Matt Davies
Chief executive, Pets at Home

EATALY
Turin, Italy

“An amazing new store concept for food.”
Corrado Colli
Chief executive, Tie Rack

BERGDORF GOODMAN
New York

“It’s always a joy to go there.”
Beverly Aspinall
Managing director, Fortnum & Mason

SELFRIDGES
Oxford Street

“It has a lot of what I want and is accessible and fun to shop in.”
Phil Wrigley
Chairman, New Look

“From Topshop to Chanel, food halls and beauty treatments, it’s all under one roof. It’s got a great brand mix and an approachable atmosphere.”
Sarah Curren
Founder, My-wardrobe.com

SHANGHAI TANG
Hong Kong

“Probably not the flashiest clothing store on the list, but the flagship store on Pedder Street does everything right. The merchandise, service and the environment work perfectly together to create an atmosphere of timeless and accessible class.”
Bob Darke
Commercial director, Comet

USA PRO
London

“Refreshingly innovative – you have to see it to understand why.”
Simon Bentley
Chairman, Sports Direct

MAJESTIC WINE
Amersham, Buckinghamshire

“An easy-going customer environment served with individuals (largely young and educated) who have a genuine passion and knowledge about the product they are selling and a personal desire to help you, the customer.”
Michael Hitchcock
Finance director, Moss Bros

TOYS R US
Times Square, New York

“It brings childhood dreams alive. To see the wonderment in a child’s eyes when they walk around this store is simply magic.”
Mark Newton-Jones
Chief executive, Littlewoods Shop Direct

PRADA FACTORY OUTLET
Montevarchi, near Florence

“You arrive at this nondescript warehouse in the middle of a small Italian market town and walk through the doors to find a beautifully presented Prada store, mobbed with Japanese tourists, spending money for fun, whose Italian tour takes in Rome, Florence, Venice and the best bit… Montevarchi.”
Adam Black
Buying director, Feather & Black

JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER
Place de Victoire, Paris

“I’m not sure if it’s still there. It was not the usual shopfit you would expect, very metallic (green copper) with an Italian-style distressed floor with ship’s portholes sunk in the floor playing his latest catwalk show. Density didn’t seem to feature in the layout.”
John Shannon
Chairman, Adams Childrenswear

COLETTE
Paris

“It’s achingly hip, but you can listen to music, read magazines, look at clothes that are impossibly trendy and gawp at some amazing new pieces of technology.”
Martha Lane-Fox
Non-executive director, Marks & Spencer

“For being different.”
Nick Moore
Managing director, Conran Shop; outgoing managing director, Natuzzi

RAPHA
Online

“It sells very expensive cycling clothes, but the product is fabulous.”
Gerald Ratner
Founding partner, Geraldonline.com

APPLE STORE
Regent Street, London

“For someone who has not grown up in the technical generation, this shop is very simple, has a great range, excellent service and everything is laid out easily.”
Bill Grimsey
Chief executive, Focus DIY

OCTOPUS

“Love it or hate it, the merchandise and merchandising in Octopus certainly ticks the distinctive and innovative box big time. A visual war zone, I am not sure my kitchen is ready for one of those funky toasters, but I can‘t resist going in when I pass one of its stores.”
Paddy Prowse
Chief executive, Whittard of Chelsea

LOUIS BOSTON
Boston

“It sells ladies’ and men’s clothing, all of which is bought in from fashion houses and brands. What stands out is the way everything has been so carefully chosen – the buyers have incredible taste. It sells lovely books, homewares, music, food and chocolate, all under the same roof of a beautiful building right in the heart of Back Bay, the shopping district of Boston. The service is great and not ‘Have a nice day’ East Coast. I dare anyone to go into Louis Boston and leave without a bag of goodies.”
Tom Joule
Founder, Joules Clothing

BARNEYS
New York

“It’s a women’s treasure trove, always introducing new brands, trends, looks and beauty – like a giant secret dressing-up box.”
Alison Middleton
Commercial director, SpaceNK

SPAR
Broadacres, Johannesburg

“A world-class assortment of fresh food spread across 25,000 sq ft. An extensive selection of prepared dishes that make the creation of a gourmet meal in your own kitchen a simple pleasure. The product is beautifully displayed in a delightfully meandering walk, wrapped up in heavenly aromas.”
Andrew Levermore
Chief executive, HyperCity India

YODOBASHI
Japan

“An electronics store in Japan where price, range and service are all excellent.”
Sir John Collins
Chairman, DSGi

JEMPSON’S OF PEASMARSH
East Sussex

“Possibly the world’s largest village store and potentially the best independent in the country. The store has great theatre, excellent customer service, a superb range including scratch bakery and is also innovative in its approach to retailing. It regularly holds customer loyalty evenings, inviting guest speakers to talk to regular shoppers – in the past it has featured Ray Mears and James Martin – and wine-tasting evenings.”
Neil Turton
Chief executive, Nisa-Today’s

ANTHROPOLOGIE
SoHo, New York

“You can just go in there and look round for an hour, it is so quirky and interesting. I often get inspiration from there.”
Rose Foster
Chief executive, La Senza

LUSH

“I can’t believe I am going to say Lush, but I am fascinated by the smell, atmosphere and culture. How can a company have grown so effectively by just selling soap? It’s got to be because it is so different and unique.”
Mike Clare
Founder, Dreams

SCHUH
Online

“I like the way Schuh runs its multichannel operation. It has impressive web interfaces incorporated into its in-store EPoS systems that allow it to check real-time stock levels and order items and sizes for customers on the spot for home delivery. You can also return web purchases direct to the store and order replacements very easily. It all gives the impression of a very integrated and slick operation, which I imagine pays dividends.”
Ian Middleton
Director, Argenteus Jewellery

LA FROMAGERIE
Marylebone, London

“It’s an amazing sensory experience. A wide array of traditional cheeses, carefully selected wine and lots of different impulse opportunities you can’t resist before leaving the store.”
Catriona Marshall
Trading director, Pets at Home

VERDURE
Dry Creek Valley, California

“Dedicated to keeping alive rare types of tomatoes that taste so much better than the boring types you see everywhere. I feasted on black tomatoes and striped tomatoes while driving around the wine area in a convertible.”
Angus Thirlwell
Co-founder and managing director, Hotel Chocolat

TATE GALLERY SHOP
London

“This is the perfect place for elegant and unusual presents for friends and relatives of all ages.”
Lucy Neville-Rolfe
Corporate and legal affairs director, Tesco

PASCALOU
Chelsea, London

“My local deli, because it has a wonderful breadth of produce that is beautifully displayed. The service is also impeccable.”
Charlie Smallbone
Chief executive, Smallbone of Devizes

ALDI

“For its simple, focused and well-executed format meeting the needs of today’s cost-conscious consumers and for being successful in several international markets.”
Sir Geoff Mulcahy
Chairman, British Retail Consortium

AMAZON
Online

“For being a one-stop shop innovator that has turned retailing on its head.”
Jason Gissing
Founder and chief financial and marketing officer, Ocado

BROWN THOMAS
Dublin

“It combines enticing merchandising and great product with a really appealing and elegant shopping environment. Almost on a par with the Dublin Guinness in my book.”
Rob Collins
E-commerce director, Waitrose

DARTS FARM SHOP
Topsham, Devon

“It shows how farm shops can be pivotal retail points. Great food – up there with Selfridges for quality – with ancillary products such as Fired Earth and Aga. It’s a retail magnet with a full car park.”
Richard Pym
Chairman, Halfords

HARVEY NICHOLS

“For convenience – it’s my corner shop.”
Quentin Griffiths
Retail entrepreneur

HUMBLE PIE
Burnham Market, Norfolk

“The classic delicatessen. Fantastic variety, service and high margins.”
Tim How
Chief executive, Majestic Wine

GAME

“It is extremely good at what it does, it is clearly dominant in the market and it’s one of the few sectors that is showing significant growth. It also has superb customer service. They treat everybody with a great deal of respect – that goes a long way. Product knowledge is excellent. It’s a non-threatening, family-focused experience. It also pioneered the pre-owned element.”
Jonathon Elvidge
Founder, Red5

KAUPPA HALLI
Helsinki, Finland

“It’s an indoor market on the harbour in Helsinki that produces fresh produce – everything from meat to fish, to fruit and veg. You can’t go in there without buying something. My wife’s Finnish, so we go there a lot.”
David Roche
Former chief executive, Borders UK

TIFFANY & CO
New York

“It’s where I bought the engagement ring for my wife. The experience was intense, because I knew my life would change forever and the team knew this and embraced it. The décor makes a building; the people make the store.”
Tony Bennett
Managing director, Casobi.com

WIGGLYWIGGLERS.CO.UK
Online

“It sells all sorts for budding environmentally friendly gardeners and bird watchers. It has spotted a niche in the market and has really gone for it. It is really creative in the way it engages with its customers and develops its assortments.”
Patrick Lewis
Retail operations director, John Lewis

WATERSTONE’S

“It’s nicely laid out; easy to follow. I can lose myself for an hour easily.”
Richard Ellis
CSR director, Alliance Boots

WAITROSE

“Because I love cooking and, in the absence of a local market, it has the best quality food of all the supermarkets by a mile.”
Tim Booth
Founder and creative director, Iwantoneofthose.com

Also nominated by Sir Terence Conran

HAMLEYS
Regent Street

“I love Hamleys. I could spend hours in that place.”
Mike Hancox
Chief executive, Otto

CRUISE
Ingram Street, Glasgow

“It has a fantastic selection of classic designers. It gives you exactly the products you want, all under one roof.”
Brian McCluskey
Chief executive, Office

THE RETAIL WEEK TEAM’S SUGGESTIONS

Abercrombie & Fitch London
Tim Danaher, editor

Murder One Charing Cross Road, London
George MacDonald, deputy editor

19 Mallorca
Charlotte Hardie, features editor

Blondie Commercial Street, London E1
Katie Kilgallen, senior features writer

One Deko Spitalfields, London
Jennifer Creevy, news editor

William Rose Butchers East Dulwich, London
Michael Sullivan, art director

Victorian Village Shop Flambards theme park, Cornwall
Debora King, deputy production editor

Organica Cheddar, Somerset
Lorna Goodyer, senior sub-editor

Paul Smith Nottingham
Ben Cooper, property reporter

Barefoot Colombo, Sri Lanka
Lisa Berwin, senior reporter

Uniqlo Oxford Street West
John Ryan, stores editor

Willow & Stone Falmouth
Niall Hunt, managing editor

Runners Need Liverpool Street, London
Joanna Perry, technology editor

Eccentricities Islington, London
Amy Shields, deputy news editor

Who have we missed? What’s your favourite store? Click here to e-mail us nomination

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