Harrods is London’s famous luxury department store in Knightsbridge, known for its  food halls, high-end fashion, and enormous range of goods and services. It began as a grocery business founded by Charles Henry Harrod in 1849 and later moved into the iconic building that opened in 1905.
 
Harrods became famous not just for selling luxury goods, but for trying to offer “all things, for all people, everywhere,” which is its motto, Omnia Omnibus Ubique. Over time it grew into one of the largest and best-known department stores in the world, with more than 300 departments and multiple restaurants.
 
The business started as a small grocer, then expanded rapidly in late 19th-century London as Knightsbridge developed into an upscale shopping district. The current building  is now one of London’s most recognisable landmarks. The store also has a reputation for dramatic resilience: after a fire in 1883, it still fulfilled Christmas orders on time.
 
Interesting facts..
The building is designed for secrecy and easy access. There’s said to be a secret tunnel used by royalty and celebrities to enter and leave the store away from crowds; only a tiny handful of staff reportedly know where the entrances are. A private penthouse suite upstairs acts as an ultra‑exclusive changing and viewing room for very high‑profile clients, and there is even a helipad on the roof for top‑tier guests.
In 2007, Harrods displayed a pair of ruby‑and‑diamond‑encrusted sandals priced at £62,000, guarded by a live cobra; it’s unclear if anyone ever bought them.