Constantly namedropped in Absolutely Fabulous – one of the sharpest and funniest sitcoms of the 1990s – London’s most iconic fashion department store is up for sale following a significant downturn in business over the last five years.

Sadly, the retail pressures of a declining luxury goods market and the removal of VAT-free tourist shopping post-Brexit appear to have done for the once-indomitable Harvey Nichols.

Founded in 1831 by Benjamin Harvey, it was originally a linen shop positioned on the corner of Knightsbridge and Sloane Street in the heart of London. Following some initial expansion, Harvey employed a skilled shop assistant called John Nichols in 1841.

After Harvey’s death in 1858, his widow Anne Beale entered a business partnership with Nichols, creating Harvey Nichols & Co, which eventually would become one of the most recognised and desirable fashion stores in the world.

For decades Harvey Nichols has been at the forefront of luxury retail, but in March 2024 the group, which includes regional stores in Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and Dublin, reported a loss of £34 million.

Despite significant investment in refurbishment of the London store, rumours of an imminent sale by owner and Hong Kong billionaire, Dickson Poon were making headlines by the end of June 2026.

Initial interest in the store was expressed by UK high-street fashion retailer Next. More recently, the Harvey Nichols group has been obliged to allow Mike Ashley’s........

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