Is Selfridges the best store in the world?

Selfridges has today been named the world’s best department store.

The UK-based chain, renowned for its novel window displays, fought off competition from Bloomingdales in New York and Lane Crawford in Hong Kong to win the title.

The London flagship store is only the second to win the award, after Saks Fifth Avenue was given the title two years ago.

Stores were judged by the Intercontinental Group of Department Stores and the International Association of Department Stores on the strength of their brand, innovation, in-store experience, customer service and financial results.

However, in a survey last month by consumer champion Which? consumers voted audio-visual chain Richer Sounds and Lakeland Plastics as the best high street shops in Britain.

Although there are only a handful of these stores accross the country (and I confess I have never heard of either of them) apparently these great retailers stock the items they advertise and their customer service is second to none.

In fact the only department store to even make it into the top ten was John Lewis, which came fifth overall. Selfridges meanwhile was nowhere to be seen.

So what do you think? Is Selfridges the best department store in the world? Is Selfridges even the best store in Britain? And if so, why? What makes it the best?

Or is Which? right? Do you prefer to shop at ‘pile-them-high, sell-them-cheap’ stores rather than at huge department stores?