Luxury convenience store

Demonstrating yet again that everything can be upgraded, London’s Harrods recently opened a luxury convenience store across the street from its famous Food Halls. Dubbed Harrods 102, the new store brings luxury and convenience together in a one-stop concept. Besides selling groceries and wine, Harrods 102 also houses a Yo! Sushi bar, a Krispy Kreme stand, florist, pharmacist, dry cleaning service, and oxygen bar. “These additional retail and service offers put Harrods closer to their customers’ everyday needs and delivers a new emotional relationship,” says Stephen Cribbett of Landini Associates, which designed both the store and its brand identity. (Landini also developed redroomdvd, which is to Blockbuster what Harrods 102 is to 7-Eleven.) Adding to the convenience, Harrods 102 features a concierge service that will hand-deliver goods to local residents. Open from 7 am to 11 pm, the shop’s cool, modern interior combines dark timber, stainless steel and natural stone, and is drawing droves of well-heeled shoppers. We wouldn’t be surprised if Harrods opened 102 stores in other UK cities, and there’s little doubt that time-starved urban consumers across the world would welcome similar retail combinations of food, well-being and convenience.