Harrods’ Sale Sets Record Pace of $1 Million an Hour

Harrods’ annual January sale began with a frenzy on Wednesday--such a frenzy, in fact, that at least one eager shopper bought something he didn’t really need: a large, round, gold-toned bathtub.

The proud new owner, a self-employed caterer, admitted that he did not have a house in which to put the tub. But it was quite a bargain, marked down to $247 from $2,470.

“I am looking for a place at the moment. It will certainly have to have a big bathroom. Perhaps I should build (a) house around the bath,” said 24-year-old Gary Miller of Peterborough, England.

Thousands of other shoppers made a mad dash for bargains on slightly more practical items--such as fine china and cashmere coats and sweaters--when the store simultaneously opened its 11 doors for the first day of its sale, one of London’s main shopping events.

After the store closed Wednesday night, Harrods spokesman Robert Bloch said in the 10 hours the store was open, it took in slightly more than $1 million an hour for a total of $10.2 million.

“It’s an institution,” said Robert Hampson, merchandising director for Harrods. His colleague Clive De Boer said: “People have to get here and get it before anybody else has got it.”

Twenty security guards at Harrods’ main entrance controlled the streams of men and women. Some shoppers sprinted up the escalators. Some clustered outside for hours in the early morning cold waiting for the 10-second countdown chorus, which was coordinated by short-wave radio.

The sale began at 9 a.m. and lasts until Jan. 31.

Three young men came dressed as a wolf, a dog and a rabbit, apparently hoping to win the attention of about 60 reporters and photographers covering the opening. “I’m not sure whether they will allow animals in the store,” the rabbit joked.

Harrods said it expected 200,000 shoppers on the first day. It also expected to surpass its sales record of last year, Hampson said.