Hermes boutiques in London

[chicinthecity777]

Does anyone know what happened to the tall (with glasses) Italian leather specialist/SA at NBS?

Even if anybody knows anything, it's hardly something to be discussed on the internet I should think?

 

[PJW5813]

Yes. I agree
This is something that should have been spotted and nipped in the bud.
'gossip' will bring the form into disrepute!

 

[ava&ava]

Even if anybody knows anything, it's hardly something to be discussed on the internet I should think?

was just curious! back to topic OK!

 

[ladysarah]

Was in London and decided to pop by Harrods. It was a Thursday night, but H was swamped. When I've visited in the past, they didn't have a formal waiting list, but this time they did. I wish they could tell you if an item is at least in stock or not before making you wait for a SA (assuming it isn't a coveted item). Not sure why, but some SAs were just standing around not assisting anyone even though there's a waitlist. I approached 1 and inquired about bag straps- he said he'd go check, but then he came back 10 minutes later with the lady with the waitlist iPad lol.

Waited another 15 minutes or so and got a SA who was able to check inventory on his phone. Disappeared for 10-15 minutes to find the item but came back empty handed because of a mistake in the system. Asked if I'm looking for anything specific, but I'm not really, so I decided to ask (for fun) if they have any larger Cs in stock.

The display case had 1 and a birkin that said display only (ya right). I could tell by his hesitation that they definitely have something. He asked if I've ever bought anything from H in the UK, and I really couldn't recall because they all blur together. He had me enter my name into the phone so he could look up my account. Clearly I didn't make the cut, cuz he hesitated and gave me the spiel that they don't have anything, but I can come back next week and try again because they never know when they'll receive deliveries. I told him I know how it goes and thanks anyways.

So much H eye candy there, so it's fun to people watch while waiting, but damn it's crowded!

I dropped by Harrods and CP last week and as a Londoner I have to say it was an underwhelming experience. Harrods is now a tourist trap and a shadow of its former self. I get a lot of questions on my blog about it being one of the most famous shops and all, but regrettably very little to recommend it any more.

 

[periogirl28]

I dropped by Harrods and CP last week and as a Londoner I have to say it was an underwhelming experience. Harrods is now a tourist trap and a shadow of its former self. I get a lot of questions on my blog about it being one of the most famous shops and all, but regrettably very little to recommend it any more.

I know it is a very small boutique, crowded and there are always a lot of tourists but with some patience, I do find Harrods has a lot of amazing stock hidden away. Just have to wait for my SA to be free. The good news is I heard there are plans to move to a larger space and carry RTW.

 

[papertiger]

I have to agree! I had a scarf on hold, but my SA wasn’t in when I went to collect it, the rest of the staff weren’t in the least bit interested, didn’t look and told me they couldn’t help!!!

First and last purchases in that store.

They seem to have a large turnover in staff, least likely to know H stock (who's serving who here?) spoiled for customers ad overworked. I've heard most employees try to transfer to other London stores if they can. I also think they are the least consistent in terms of service, it can be awful but I have bought things there that couldn't be found elsewhere (like my Zenobie 90).

 

[papertiger]

I dropped by Harrods and CP last week and as a Londoner I have to say it was an underwhelming experience. Harrods is now a tourist trap and a shadow of its former self. I get a lot of questions on my blog about it being one of the most famous shops and all, but regrettably very little to recommend it any more.

IMO it's still a great experience for foreign relatives and friends that have never been and I still think it's one of the best places to shop for Christmas pressies. The H 'store' is just such a awkward shape, like queuing up at a bar for service. Always make an appointment in Hd's H if you can.

 

[chicinthecity777]

I love Harrods and pretty much buy everything from Harrods if I can. It's always been a tourist "trap" and they have amazing stock on everything and anything! Yes SAs can be rushing but too many mega rich people shop there dropping serious money so SAs don't fussy about anyone and everyone. I personally find most SAs I have dealt with pleasant enough. And they have amazing fine jewellery selection in H.

 

[FreddieMac]

They seem to have a large turnover in staff, least likely to know H stock (who's serving who here?) spoiled for customers ad overworked. I've heard most employees try to transfer to other London stores if they can. I also think they are the least consistent in terms of service, it can be awful but I have bought things there that couldn't be found elsewhere (like my Zenobie 90).

That does make sense - I think I was fortunate in my first experience there which was quite late in the evening in January and pretty quiet. The SA I met then was super friendly, knowledgable and happy to show me some goodies and talk about new upcoming leathers.

Ultimately, I decided to keep my focus and business solely at NBS because of the issue I mentioned above and for the fact they don't currently offer RTW and that I like a more serene shopping experience. But you're right, stock is super!

 

[ladysarah]

I love Harrods and pretty much buy everything from Harrods if I can. It's always been a tourist "trap" and they have amazing stock on everything and anything! Yes SAs can be rushing but too many mega rich people shop there dropping serious money so SAs don't fussy about anyone and everyone. I personally find most SAs I have dealt with pleasant enough. And they have amazing fine jewellery selection in H.

The people who work there are very nice, it's the hordes of visitors I cannot deal with. It's just too busy, and that kills it for me. We used to get food deliveries for Christmas and special events, back in the days when harrods was a shop shop and less of a tourist attraction. I prefer something a little more zen for general shopping Bon Marche in Paris for instance...for Hermes NBS or even the new selfridges concession.

 

[chicinthecity777]

The people who work there are very nice, it's the hordes of visitors I cannot deal with. It's just too busy, and that kills it for me. We used to get food deliveries for Christmas and special events, back in the days when harrods was a shop shop and less of a tourist attraction. I prefer something a little more zen for general shopping Bon Marche in Paris for instance...for Hermes NBS or even the new selfridges concession.

It's the visitors who are keeping Harrods going as strong as is.
I never liked Selfridges in general. To me, it's the same "tourist trap" as Harrods with below par customer service. In terms of H, NBS boutique has good SAs but it has just as many tourists as any other major stores.

 

[ladysarah]

It's the visitors who are keeping Harrods going as strong as is.
I never liked Selfridges in general. To me, it's the same "tourist trap" as Harrods with below par customer service. In terms of H, NBS boutique has good SAs but it has just as many tourists as any other major stores.

I don't know about the h concession in particular, which is busy, but I was under the impression that Harrods was loosing money, people visit but don't buy.

 

[chicinthecity777]

I don't know about the h concession in particular, which is busy, but I was under the impression that Harrods was loosing money, people visit but don't buy.

Not sure where you got that information but according to the accounts they filed with company house, in 2017 financial year, their net operating profit was £192.5m, up from £128.7m from 2016. I'd say that was a healthy growth.

 

[scarf1]

I don't know about the h concession in particular, which is busy, but I was under the impression that Harrods was loosing money, people visit but don't buy.

This doesn’t surprise me. As a London tourist, I found Harrods a bit overwhelming and confusing. The last few times, I couldn’t wait to get out of there.

I have found pleasant SAs in the scarves area at NBS. I have usually visited on a week day morning, and it has not been crowded.

 

[thyme]

It's the visitors who are keeping Harrods going as strong as is.
I never liked Selfridges in general. To me, it's the same "tourist trap" as Harrods with below par customer service. In terms of H, NBS boutique has good SAs but it has just as many tourists as any other major stores.

agree re selfridges and sub par service.

I don't know about the h concession in particular, which is busy, but I was under the impression that Harrods was loosing money, people visit but don't buy.

Not sure which department you visit in Harrods but I see people buying in almost all departments, ready to wear, shoes, jewellery, furniture, homeware...The only department I don't go to is the kids department.

Harrods is owned by Qatar, and I do not doubt their financial savvy for one moment. They definitely will not back a loss making venture.