Harvey Nichols

Harvey Nichols is a famous British luxury department store chain that started in 1831 by Benjamin Harvey. Its main store is located in Knightsbridge, London. The store offers special designer fashion for men and women, accessories, beauty products, fine wines, and luxury foods.

Today, Harvey Nichols has 14 stores around the world. You can find them in places like Hong Kong, Ireland, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. One of its stores even has a brasserie inside the OXO Tower in London. The company is owned by Dickson Concepts, a luxury goods company based in Hong Kong.

History

Harvey Nichols started in 1831 as a small shop selling linen in Knightsbridge, London, founded by Benjamin Harvey. After Harvey passed away, his wife Anne and his son-in-law James Nichols took over and turned it into Harvey Nichols & Co.

Over the years, the store grew into a big department store. It was bought by different companies, including Debenhams and later Dickson Concepts. The store became famous thanks to its appearances in the BBC comedy series Absolutely Fabulous.

Leaders of the company changed over time, with Stacey Cartwright becoming CEO in 2014, followed by Daniela Rinaldi and Manju Malhotra. In 2023, Manju Malhotra left after many years, and Pearson Poon took on a new role. In 2024, Kate Phelan became the first creative director for the brands.

Locations

The London flagship store is in Knightsbridge, close to another famous store called Harrods. In 1996, Harvey Nichols opened its first restaurant in London at the OXO Tower by the River Thames. That same year, they opened their first store outside London in Leeds.

The company wanted to grow in Scotland and chose a location in St Andrew Square, Edinburgh. The store there opened in summer 2002. After a big event in Manchester in 1996, the city was rebuilt. Harvey Nichols decided to open a big store there in 2002 on New Cathedral Street, next to Selfridges.

In 2012, they tried a smaller beauty store in Liverpool One, and it became a permanent place for them. Harvey Nichols has been at The Mailbox in Birmingham since 2001 and expanded the store there in 2013.

Controversies

After opening a new store in Edinburgh in 2002, managers received a complaint because staff tried to stop a homeless man selling a magazine outside.

In 2003, some people objected to an advertisement in magazines like Vogue, Elle, and Harpers & Queen. They thought the ad was irresponsible because it showed unsafe driving and might upset people connected to road accidents.

In 2013, Harvey Nichols started selling fur again in the United Kingdom after stopping for ten years. This decision received criticism about how animals were treated. The company said the furs came from reputable suppliers.