Harrods to launch outlet store at Westfield London

The iconic department store business will launch the new shop in July. The two-storey outlet will house a number of its core categories including fashion, beauty and accessories.

The proposition will be edited from the Harrods Sale, which will also be available online.

Harrods said the new outlet store would allow its Knightsbridge flagship, which is reopening on June 15, to operate “with the strongest social distancing measures in place”.

The luxury store would then be able to “focus on new and exclusive edits”, it said, helping to prevent a sudden influx of customers shopping for discounted products.

It marks another foray into shopping centres by Harrods, which previously opened its H Beauty concept at Intu Lakeside in Essex.

Harrods said its Knightsbridge store was “ready to resume its operations” next month after prime minister Boris Johnson said non-essential retailers could reopen for business again from June 15.

The retailer has brought in social distancing measures, installed footfall-monitoring technology, put up clear signage across the store and changed its configuration to create specific doors for entering and exiting the property.

Harrods boss Michael Ward said: “In the new world in which we find ourselves, the economy needs businesses willing to look at their business models and current operations and think differently to enable growth, while protecting their customers and employees.

“Our focus has been on getting our Knightsbridge store back to what it does best – serving our customers, supporting our brand partners and bringing new and exciting experiences to those who pass through our doors.

“Harrods Outlet allows us to enable better social distancing across a larger footprint, move towards the new season decisively and confidently, and retail in a responsible way.”