In the age of online shopping and instant gratification, department stores remain a symbol of timeless elegance and consumer culture. They blend luxury, history, and spectacle, transforming shopping into an experience rather than a transaction. Across the globe, a few names stand out as more than just retail destinations — they are cultural landmarks.
Here are the top 10 most iconic department stores in the world in 2025, celebrated for their grandeur, heritage, and influence.
1. Harrods – London, UK
Founded: 1849
Known for: British luxury, elaborate window displays, and a royal clientele
Harrods isn’t just a department store — it’s an institution. Spanning over a million square feet with 330 departments, it offers everything from haute couture and gourmet food to gold-plated gadgets. Tourists and locals alike flock here not just to shop, but to experience luxury in its most flamboyant form.
Fun Fact: Harrods has its own dress code and used to have a live pet department!
2. Galeries Lafayette – Paris, France
Founded: 1893
Known for: Iconic glass dome and high fashion in the heart of Paris
Situated on Boulevard Haussmann, Galeries Lafayette is the epitome of Parisian elegance. With its neo-Byzantine dome, panoramic terrace, and weekly fashion shows, this department store blends style with heritage.
Why It Stands Out: The store has become a Paris landmark and offers tax-free shopping for tourists.
3. Macy’s Herald Square – New York City, USA
Founded: 1858
Known for: Thanksgiving Day Parade, American retail culture
Macy’s is a retail pioneer that has shaped American consumer behavior for decades. Its Herald Square location in Manhattan was once the largest department store in the world and is still known for its multi-level seasonal displays and historic escalators.
Notable Feature: The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade starts right outside its doors.
4. Isetan Shinjuku – Tokyo, Japan
Founded: 1886
Known for: Premium Japanese fashion and customer service
In Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district, Isetan is a mecca for high-end shoppers. Known for cutting-edge fashion curation and the finest food halls in Asia, Isetan marries tradition with trendsetting innovation.
Why It Matters: It redefines the Japanese concept of “omotenashi” — impeccable customer service and hospitality.
5. El Corte Inglés – Madrid, Spain
Founded: 1940
Known for: Being Spain’s largest and most beloved department store
El Corte Inglés offers everything from designer brands to electronics and groceries. With 80+ stores across Spain and Portugal, it is a key part of Iberian shopping culture.
Unique Feature: Offers a multilingual personal shopper service and tax-free shopping for tourists.
6. KaDeWe – Berlin, Germany
Founded: 1907
Known for: Gourmet food hall and curated international luxury
Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe) is Europe’s second-largest department store and a true Berlin icon. It’s especially renowned for its sixth-floor food emporium, which features cuisine from around the world.
Historic Role: It was a symbol of Western capitalism during Cold War-era Berlin.
7. GUM – Moscow, Russia
Founded: 1893
Known for: Neo-Russian architecture and Red Square views
GUM (Glávnyj Universálnyj MagazĂn) sits across from the Kremlin and blends politics, history, and luxury retail. With its grand glass ceiling and ornate interiors, GUM is more than a store — it’s a cultural site.
Interesting Note: It once served as the USSR’s flagship store and was used for state-run retail during the Soviet era.
8. Selfridges – London, UK
Founded: 1909
Known for: Inventing experiential shopping and modern marketing
Selfridges revolutionized retail under founder Harry Gordon Selfridge, who famously declared, “The customer is always right.” It continues to lead in immersive experiences, innovative pop-ups, and sustainability-driven brands.
Must-See: The ever-changing Oxford Street window displays, which are famous worldwide.
9. La Rinascente – Milan, Italy
Founded: 1865
Known for: Fashion-forward curation and luxury shopping in Italy
Located next to the Milan Cathedral, La Rinascente blends modern Italian fashion with views of the historic Duomo. With eight floors of retail, restaurants, and design exhibitions, it attracts the global elite.
Why Visit: For the rooftop café overlooking Milan and the rotating art installations.
10. Tangs – Singapore
Founded: 1932
Known for: Fusing Asian tradition with Western retail in Southeast Asia
Tangs is one of Singapore’s oldest department stores, known for curating homegrown brands and global labels. It has modernized into a vibrant lifestyle hub at Orchard Road, Singapore’s busiest retail street.
Cultural Value: It blends Chinese heritage with modern Singaporean style, offering a true East-meets-West experience.
The Enduring Appeal of Department Stores
So why do these stores still matter in 2025?
While online retail continues to dominate globally, department stores offer something e-commerce can’t — physical experience, brand immersion, and cultural storytelling. These iconic stores attract tourists, locals, and even history buffs. In many cities, they are symbols of national pride and economic power.
Key Takeaways
| Rank | Store Name | City | Country | Established | Signature Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrods | London | UK | 1849 | British opulence, 330 departments |
| 2 | Galeries Lafayette | Paris | France | 1893 | Glass dome, weekly fashion shows |
| 3 | Macy’s | New York | USA | 1858 | Thanksgiving Day Parade |
| 4 | Isetan | Tokyo | Japan | 1886 | Food halls, Japanese luxury curation |
| 5 | El Corte Inglés | Madrid | Spain | 1940 | Iberia’s retail powerhouse |
| 6 | KaDeWe | Berlin | Germany | 1907 | Gourmet floor, Berlin retail icon |
| 7 | GUM | Moscow | Russia | 1893 | Glass ceiling, Red Square location |
| 8 | Selfridges | London | UK | 1909 | Experiential shopping, bold window displays |
| 9 | La Rinascente | Milan | Italy | 1865 | Duomo views, luxury Italian brands |
| 10 | Tangs | Singapore | Singapore | 1932 | Asian-European fusion shopping |
Conclusion
In 2025, these 10 iconic department stores remain essential to global shopping culture. Whether for luxury fashion, unforgettable food, or their architectural wonder, they go beyond commerce—they’re experiences that define cities.
If you’re a traveler, shopper, or retail enthusiast, these are the destinations to add to your global retail bucket list.