Harry Gordon Selfridge

Harry Gordon Selfridge (Born 1858) was an American department store executive until in 1909 he founded the Selfridge department store group. In 1908 he bought a considerable chunk of Oxford street for £400,000. However, he purchased at the dead end of oxford street. This led to jeering. However through selfridges marketing brain, he managed to make the store a success.

He suffered many hardships including his business partner, Mr. Wearing pulling out before construction began. Through networking, however, Selfridge found a backer and the store was built on schedule. He pioneered many new forms of advertising and retail marketing.

However, it all came crashing down in 1928 Selfridge was ousted from the selfridge group by the london civic. This was because of his gambling debts and his involvement with the Dolly sisters.