Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason plc (colloquially often shortened to just Fortnum's) is an upmarket department store in London, England. The main store is located at 181 Piccadilly in the St James's area of London, where it was established in 1707 by William Fortnum and Hugh Mason. There are additional stores at The Royal Exchange, St Pancras railway station, Canary Wharf, Heathrow Airport, Victoria Dockside in Hong Kong, and Bicester Village, as well as various stockists worldwide. Fortnum & Mason has been privately owned by Wittington Investments Limited since 1951. Founded as a grocery store, Fortnum's reputation was built on supplying high quality food, and it saw rapid growth throughout the Victorian era. Although Fortnum's developed into a department store, it continues to focus on stocking a variety of exotic and specialty food along with 'basic' provisions. It is known for its food hampers. The main store has since opened several other departments, such as the gentlemen's department on the first floor. It also contains a tea shop and several restaurants.