Ancestry of
Harry Gordon Selfridge
Founder, Selfridges & Co.
Who was Harry Gordon Selfridge?
Harry Gordon Selfridge, born on January 11, 1858, in Ripon, Wisconsin, was a visionary American-British retail magnate best known for founding Selfridges, one of London's most iconic department stores. Selfridge's career began at Marshall Field's in Chicago, where he worked his way up from stock boy to junior partner. His innovative ideas, such as creating a more customer-centric shopping experience, laid the groundwork for his future success.
In 1906, Selfridge moved to London with the ambitious vision of revolutionizing the British retail scene. He founded Selfridges on Oxford Street in 1909, introducing several pioneering concepts, including window displays, open merchandise, and in-store entertainment, which transformed shopping into a leisure activity. His famous phrase, "The customer is always right," became a cornerstone of modern retail.
Despite his early success, Selfridge's later years were marred by financial difficulties. During the years of the Great Depression, Selfridge's fortune rapidly declined and then disappeared. He lost control of Selfridges in 1941, and his lavish lifestyle left him in financial ruin. Harry Gordon Selfridge passed away on May 8, 1947, in London.
Selfridge's legacy endures through his lasting impact on retail, influencing department stores worldwide. His innovative approach to customer service and marketing continues to shape the industry, making him a pivotal figure in the history of modern retailing.
Some of the most recently added connections of famous kin for Harry Gordon Selfridge
Brig. Gen. Henry Clay Wood
Medal of Honor Recipient
U.S. Civil War
6th cousin 2 times removed
via Francis Cooke
Richard A. Snelling
76th and 78th Governor of Vermont
8th cousin 2 times removed
via Thomas Mitchell
View entire list of famous kin for Harry Gordon Selfridge
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