Retail Week defined the 100 stores that define retailing excellence
Harrods, Foyles, Hamleys and Space NK all made Retail Week's 100 stores to shop before you drop this week, but none of them measure up to 1970s icon Biba.

The guide to a superb retailing experience features all that is best on the high street today. Stores were selected for design, product, service and atmosphere. All were suggested by retailers, consultants, stylists, trend spotters and design agencies. There is a heady mix of examples of excellence by multiple chain stores, as well as recommendations for distinctive independent traders.

However, there is one shop suggested by Michael Poynor, chief retail adviser for accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers, that will have to remain a retailing legend unless someone persuades Barbara Hulanicki to re-open the Biba store on Kensington High Street. 'This was the shop to end all shops,' he said.

The top 10 department stores included the Birmingham Selfridges with its futuristic blue and silver dome, to Thomas Browns in Dublin, with the prettiest sales assistants in the city. As for the rest of the 90 stores, they included The Cross in Notting Hill, where Nicole Kidman shops and Zara at the Trafford Centre in Manchester.

Turn to page 22 of this weeks issue to read the rest of this feature.

or to read a text only version of this feature, click on the headline below:

Special Report - Top Shops - 100 Stores to shop before you drop

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