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Quiz about Harrods Through The Years
Quiz about Harrods Through The Years

Harrods ...Through The Years Trivia Quiz


Harrods is a well known luxury department store in London, England. How much do you know about its history? Why not play my quiz and find out?

A multiple-choice quiz by Helmar. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
Helmar
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
313,439
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
484
Last 3 plays: Guest 85 (4/10), Aph1976 (4/10), Guest 155 (7/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Harrods began as a wholesale grocery and tea business in 1834. Who was its founder? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. The founder of Harrods moved his business in 1849, and it's been there ever since. In what area of London is Harrods located? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. In 1898 Harrods was rebuilt on a grander scale and it became the first store to install what new item on its premises? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. What is Harrods' motto? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Royal warrants are issued to companies or individuals who supply goods and services to specific members of the UK Royal family. In what year was Harrods granted its first Royal warrant, as a supplier of china, glass and fancy goods? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. During World War II parts of the Harrods building were used as the HQ for the Canadian Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.


Question 7 of 10
7. In 1959 Harrods was bought by another retail company that was founded in 1849. What was the name of that company? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. In the mid 1980s a battle for control of the company owning Harrods was won by two brothers who de-listed the company from the London Stock Exchange. Who were these brothers? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Harrods once sold a baby elephant called Gertie as a gift for Ronald Reagan.


Question 10 of 10
10. Two memorials commissioned by Mohammed Al Fayed are located inside Harrods. Who are the memorials dedicated to? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Oct 07 2024 : Guest 85: 4/10
Sep 28 2024 : Aph1976: 4/10
Sep 27 2024 : Guest 155: 7/10
Sep 17 2024 : Guest 69: 5/10
Sep 06 2024 : bernie73: 7/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Harrods began as a wholesale grocery and tea business in 1834. Who was its founder?

Answer: Charles Henry Harrod

Charles Harrod, the founder of Harrods, lived from 1799 to 1885. He was originally a miller by trade until he moved to London in 1834 and began his wholesale business in Stepney.
2. The founder of Harrods moved his business in 1849, and it's been there ever since. In what area of London is Harrods located?

Answer: Knightsbridge

Charles Harrod bought a small shop in Knightsbridge in 1849, moving his business from the East End of London. At the time Knightsbridge was a newly developing area. Charles hoped that the Great Exhibition which was to be held in 1851 in nearby Hyde Park would benefit his trade.
3. In 1898 Harrods was rebuilt on a grander scale and it became the first store to install what new item on its premises?

Answer: moving staircase / escalator

Charles Digby Harrod took over control of Harrods in 1861 when his father retired. In 1883 the original shop was gutted by fire and Charles was able to rebuild something much grander on the site.
In 1889 Harrods became a public company under the direction of Richard Burbage.
The first escalator in Britain was installed at Harrods in 1898. Customers were offered a drink of brandy at the top to calm their nerves!
4. What is Harrods' motto?

Answer: All Things for All People, Everywhere

Harrods' motto 'Omnia Omnibus Ubique' means 'All Things for All People, Everywhere'. This reflected the wide range of goods and services available. In addition to installing the first escalator, Harrods also pioneered telephone shopping. The other mottoes are from other British stores - Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason and Tescos.
5. Royal warrants are issued to companies or individuals who supply goods and services to specific members of the UK Royal family. In what year was Harrods granted its first Royal warrant, as a supplier of china, glass and fancy goods?

Answer: 1938

The first Royal warrant was to the Queen Elizabeth, wife of King George VI (the father of Queen Elizabeth II). In 1955 Harrods received a warrant from Queen Elizabeth II and the following year obtained one from the Duke of Edinburgh. Further Royal warrants were to follow.

In the wake of the controversy following the death of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed, the Duke of Edinburgh did not renew his warrant in 2001. The company announced it would not pursue the renewal of any Royal warrants and removed the seals.
6. During World War II parts of the Harrods building were used as the HQ for the Canadian Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.

Answer: True

During the Second World War the store produced uniforms, parachutes and parts for Lancaster bombers. Parts of the building were requisitioned for military use. The store remained unscathed.
7. In 1959 Harrods was bought by another retail company that was founded in 1849. What was the name of that company?

Answer: House of Fraser

House of Fraser was founded by Hugh Fraser in Glasgow, Scotland. In the 1940s it began expanding, adding new stores including the Binns chain of retail stores.
8. In the mid 1980s a battle for control of the company owning Harrods was won by two brothers who de-listed the company from the London Stock Exchange. Who were these brothers?

Answer: the Al Fayeds

Mohammed and Ali Al Fayed bought Roland 'Tiny' Rowlands' 30% share of House of Fraser. Rowlands had tried to take over the company, but was prevented by the Mergers and Monopolies Commission. The Al Fayeds invested heavily, but focused primarily on Harrods.

They decoupled Harrods from the rest of House of Fraser, floated House of Fraser on the stock exchange and retained private ownership of Harrods. They engaged in a £300m refurbishment plan for Harrods. By the mid 1990s Harrods had one of the highest sales per square foot in the UK.
9. Harrods once sold a baby elephant called Gertie as a gift for Ronald Reagan.

Answer: True

The gift was from the King of Albania. The elephant went to Sacramento Zoo.
Harrods also sold an alligator as a gift for Noel Coward.
In 1969 Christian the lion cub was bought from Harrods by two Australians, who cared for him in London until he was a year old. He was reintroduced to the wild by George Adamson (of Born Free and Elsa fame). A year later his former owners went to Africa to find Christian and see if he would remember them. By then he was a grown lion with his own pride. He did remember them and did not harm them.
10. Two memorials commissioned by Mohammed Al Fayed are located inside Harrods. Who are the memorials dedicated to?

Answer: Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed

Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed, Mr Al Fayed's son, were killed in a car accident in Paris on 31st August 1997. The first memorial was unveiled in 1998 and consists of two photographs of them behind a pyramid display which holds a wine glass Diana had been drinking from at her last dinner and what is alleged to be an engagement ring Dodi purchased the day before they died.

The second memorial, "Innocent Victims", is a bronze statue of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed and was unveiled in 2005.
Source: Author Helmar

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Terry before going online.
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