Mr. Selfridge tells the story of 'Mile a Minute Harry', a man with a mission to make shopping as thrilling as sex.
In London, 1908, Agnes Towler, who works at Gamages department store, finds her life about to change following an encounter with Harry Gordon Selfridge. He is finalising his great plans for the biggest and finest department store the world has ever seen in Oxford Street. His family also show up in London from Chicago. Word about the impending store opening begins to spread around London, and Agnes approaches Harry for a job. He remembers her, and agrees to give her a job. Opening day is a great success, attracting huge crowds but the takings are not brilliant.
The store has now been open for a few months and the displays are still as seductive as on opening day, and the staff are poised for action. The only thing the store is missing though is customers. Harry is confident though on the outside but privately he is worried. He goes to the country with Frank, where they wait in a field and then a flying machine emerges from the clouds and flies overheard. Harry manages to secures it for a grand exhibition in store.
Harry and Ellen are enjoying their new love affair and dance into the night at an apartment that Harry has got Ellen. She ends up talking about her father and reveals that her real name is Joyce. Agnes's nasty drunk father called Reg has been fired from his job and he ends up losing his temper with his daughter, hitting her across the face.
Harry scores something of a coup when prima ballerina Anna Pavlova agrees to pay Selfridges a visit. However, Agnes's job looks to be under threat when a violent Reg reaches breaking point and gatecrashes the event - and things only get worse when Ellen invites herself along. Meanwhile, one of the department store's most loyal employees is caught stealing, a formidable new head of fashion arrives and Rose reveals her true identity to Roddy.
Harry delights in a new car brought in for a window display, but after a confrontation with Rose, who has received a visit from his mistress Ellen Love, he hits rock bottom, drinking and reliving a traumatic childhood memory as he drives the vehicle into the night. Meanwhile, Agnes falls out with Victor when she returns to Selfridges, although Henri is pleased to see her again.
Harry is left unconscious after the car accident and as his family gathers by his bedside, the news arrives that Mrs Grove is dead - something which leaves Miss Mardle confused. Meanwhile, a suffragette demonstration in the area sees all the store's staff pulling together, and as Victor and Lady Mae conduct their secret affair, Agnes and Henri's friendship continues to grow.
Author and spiritualist Arthur Conan Doyle is in Selfridges for a Sherlock Holmes book signing when he persuades Harry to hold a seance in the store - and the results of the gathering force the retail magnate to have a long-overdue heart-to-heart with Lois. Meanwhile, Agnes is transferred to women's fashion, Doris resolves to help an old friend, Miss Mardle is still agonising over Mr Grove, and Kitty has a secret admirer.
Author and spiritualist Arthur Conan Doyle is in Selfridges for a Sherlock Holmes book signing when he persuades Harry to hold a seance in the store - and the results of the gathering force the retail magnate to have a long-overdue heart-to-heart with Lois. Meanwhile, Agnes is transferred to women's fashion, Doris resolves to help an old friend, Miss Mardle is still agonising over Mr Grove, and Kitty has a secret admirer.
Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton arrives to give a lecture at the store. On the same day, the underground is shutdown when a body is discovered on the tracks, resulting in the late arrival of several employees. The identity of the body sends a wave a shock throughout the store. Meanwhile, Frank Edwards is disappointed when he needs a favor, and Roddy Temple's presence continues to cause problems.
Lady Mae arranges an after hours shopping spree for King Edward VII. To thank Harry, the King invites the Selfridges to the opening of Ellen Love's new play, much to Rose's dismay. The Selfridges and Lady Mae discover the play is a satire aimed at ridiculing them, and scripted by an embittered Frank Edwards. Ashamed and humiliated, Rose takes the children back to America. Meanwhile, wedding bells will soon be ringing for two of Selfridges' own.
Once considered the vulgar venture of an upstart American, Selfridge & Co. is now the toast of London, about to celebrate its fifth anniversary. The store's staff plans a surprise for Harry, and unexpected guests show up. Meanwhile, the latest sensation is a new nightclub, run by libertine Delphine Day, who is a new friend of Harry's wife, Rose. Are the two institutions—Selfridges and Delphine's—destined to cross paths? In other action, Lady Mae's husband, Lord Loxley, is back in her life again. Rose spots a ghostly but familiar face at Delphine's. And Agnes gets a huge promotion but makes a bitter enemy. On the larger stage, the Archduke of Austria is assassinated, touching off a crisis on the Continent.
"Empire Week" at Selfridges symbolizes all that Britain has to fight for, and it's up to Agnes to create displays that evoke every corner of the realm. Overwhelmed, she gets unexpected help. Meanwhile, Harry gets an unexpected visit from Lord Loxley, who is suspiciously civil and offers to line up a celebrity guest for the celebration. But he wants advice from Harry in return. Mr. Crabb calls on American know-how to help Mr. Grove keep his job. Frank has a date with Kitty. Miss Mardle makes a startling revelation. And all await Mr. Churchill's arrival at the store…
It's August 1914, and Britain is now at war with Germany. Expecting the great adventure to be over by Christmas, young men flock to enlist, including a large contingent of Selfridges staff. Though an American himself, Harry rises to the occasion, promising the men their jobs when they return and hosting a benefit for victims of the German invasion of Belgium. Mr. Grove shocks Mr. Crabb with a bold strategy for meeting the store's manpower needs. Lord Loxley's plot deepens. And Henri gets deeper into a mysterious transaction.
Young Englishmen are off to war, and Harry's son, Gordon, is itching to enlist. Only fifteen, he is assigned to man the tea counter at the store instead. Harry is also itching to do something war-related and angles for a spot on the government's military procurement committee. This leads to a high-stakes poker game, pitting the canny American against none other than Lord Loxley, who aims to give "that Yank the trouncing of his life!" Meanwhile, Miss Mardle has invited Agnes to share her new home and welcomes a Belgian refugee as well. Mr. Thackeray, head of fashion, gives himself a special war assignment: get to the bottom of Henri's suspicious behavior!
Business carries on at Selfridges, where German-made goods are being replaced with English products. Harry organizes a patriotic concert to benefit the troops, featuring a popular music hall tenor (portrayed by Alfie Boe) who gets Lady Mae (his former stage partner) to join him. Miss Mardle's new lodger, a Belgian violinist, also participates in the concert, raising some eyebrows. Amid the festivities, a complex drama unfolds that sets the future course of events for Henri and Harry—all while the unsuspecting audience sings "It's a Long Way to Tipperary." It's a very long way indeed.
Discussing Harry's mysterious disappearance on a business trip to the Continent, Kitty tells Frank: "It's like he's vanished into thin air!" During the chief's absence, Henri lands in trouble, one of the staff is killed at the front, Josie finds unexpected joy, and Frank publishes a shocking scandal. As if that isn't enough, Rose faces a falling out with those close to her, and bad news arrives about another soldier on the staff.
Harry returns, making a revelation concerning the press rumors surrounding his absence. Delphine creates a stir by arranging a spending spree by Keystone Studios head Mack Sennett, his biggest star, Mabel Normand, and a bevy of Sennett bathing beauties, who are all on a junket to London. Meanwhile, Henri is spared a legal dilemma only to land in a romantic one. Miss Mardle also faces a love quandry, and Lady Mae has trouble exiting from her miserable marriage.
Tempers flare as Harry and Loxley face off, Miss Mardle gives Mr. Grove a tongue-lashing, Victor and Henri clash, Kitty tells Frank to shape up, and Delphine finds her influence wavering. Meanwhile, an American journalist searches for the happy side of Selfridges, the store promotes "the comforts of home," Agnes gets her fifteen minutes of fame, Mr. Grove gets a long-sought heir, and Lady Mae manages to save the day.
Having endured a scandal in the press and dealt with Henri's arrest, Harry is determined to get the store back on track and asks Delphine to organise a special event, but takes a risk by inviting notorious American journalist Winifred Bonfils Black. Meanwhile, as Miss Mardle experiences true happiness, Agnes doubts she has made the right choice, and Lady Mae and Frank unite to help Mr Selfridge, but could there be more trouble on the horizon?
Harry is desperate to clear his name after being implicated in Loxley's dubious business dealings. Victor and Agnes endure some agonising soul-searching when a loved one returns, and Miss Mardle is forced to grapple with a romantic dilemma. Lady Mae takes a big risk on Harry's behalf - one which pays off - but he is stopped dead in his tracks when Rose brings news that shatters his world forever.
It's 1919 and as the family gathers at Rose's funeral, a grief-stricken Harry wonders how he will ever get by without his beloved wife. However, nine months later and the Selfridges are in high spirits - Rosalie is marrying renowned Russian aviator Serge De Bolotoff. At the forefront of the lavish wedding is Russian emigre Princess Marie, the glamorous mother of the groom, but what is she hiding? Agnes is overjoyed to be reunited with Henri, who has recently returned from the war.
While Harry decides to pursue a new charitable project, Crabb is faced with a massive professional dilemma. The biggest fashion event in store since the war proves a big challenge for the staff, and an exclusive contract with Lanvin hangs in the balance. As Rosalie begins married life, a frustrated Violette is bored and looks for something to do. Miss Mardle decides to make a fresh start, while Agnes faces an unexpected challenge very close to home.
Period drama based on the life of department store founder Harry Selfridge. Harry pushes ahead with his plans for the Selfridge Estate, buying a field at auction - only to find there is an unexpected rival bidder. Kitty is on a high as she launches a high-profile cosmetics demonstration in store, which gets her into Harry's good books - and nets a job for her sister Connie. Miss Mardle returns and makes her mark in fashion. Henri continues to behave erratically, leaving Agnes out in the cold - could their marriage be in trouble?
Harry and Nancy take Kitty to hospital as Frank is horrified to realise that he might have been complicit in his own wife's attack. When the police begin their investigations, security in the store is tightened. Violette has her eye on Victor, who finds himself in trouble with DI Purkiss. Henri and Agnes struggle to find a way through their present troubles - and Harry discovers that his feelings for Nancy are deeper than he first thought.
As Harry and Nancy's secret romance continues, he publicly announces the acquisition of the Selfridge Estate - but Loxley is out to get him. In store, there is a race for the post of deputy manager, with Mr Grove and Miss Mardle both jostling for the role. There is more fallout in the aftermath of Kitty's attack as she finds herself the focus of some unwelcome press attention. When Lois drops in unexpectedly on Princess Marie, the exiled Russian is forced to reveal the truth about her situation. As things hot up between Victor and Violette, the future of the club seems to be in jeopardy.
Selfridge sells some of his stock, losing sole control of the store to raise cash for his and Nancy Webb's Selfridge estate. Victor Colleano is approached to have gambling in his club by a man that will get the police off his back. Mr Grove is not happy being passed over for promotion and lets Gordon, the new store deputy, give the new head of display approval for a new window display not realizing the embarrassment that it will cause. Kitty Edwards, realizing her husband is powerless to stop Lord Loxley helping the men who attacked her, seeks George Towler's help to resolve the situation. Miss Mardle's attempt to help Doris Grove and the real father of her baby goes disastrously wrong.
Nancy begins to feel the weight of her deception as her fling with Harry continues, while Mr Selfridge finds himself pushed into a corner when he clashes with Loxley at a shareholders' meeting. Reality soon hits home as Victor and Violette take a romantic trip to the coast, and George grows increasingly unhappy at the club. As Mr Grove struggles to face up to recent events, Miss Mardle offers her support, but beneath the surface she is racked with guilt - and when he finds out the truth, he makes a rash decision.
Harry is thrown when Nancy suddenly announces they should keep their relationship professional, at least until the Selfridge Estate is finished. A grieving Mr Grove is keen to carry on as normal, but continues to shun Miss Mardle, while Grace and Gordon have an embarrassing encounter with Mr Crabb. Victor and Elsa come up with a new idea for Colleano's, Violette catches the eye of a visiting French count, and a huge `Britain at Play' promotion is launched in the store to keep the shareholders happy.
Harry takes a massive gamble with the biggest flash sale in the store's history, while Nancy finds it difficult to keep their engagement a secret from Gus, and a meddling Princess Marie makes things even trickier when she starts to smell a rat. As Gordon and Grace try to get back on track, Violette is presented with a pragmatic life choice. Miss Mardle and Mr Grove come to blows again, and Loxley manipulates the board into making a decisive move against Mr Selfridge.
Harry locks horns with Loxley in a dramatic boardroom confrontation before he announces his engagement to Nancy, while it becomes clear to the future bride that the con may not last much longer as Princess Marie grows more suspicious about the Selfridge Estate project. Harry is later forced to face an unimaginable truth, while Gordon must make a big romantic decision and Mr Grove accepts the error of his ways, setting out to put things right.
Harry now has a daughter, Tatiana, who is the apple of his eye. Mr Grove celebrates his birthday with Mr Crabb. Miss Mardle's absence leaves a gap in Grove's life. Gordon is now married with two children, but their is tension between him and his father. Mae returns to London.
Harry is at his country home recovering from the incident at the Queen of Time unveiling. He realises he needs to quash any retirement rumours, so makes a speedy return to the store and deciding to open a cutting-edge technology department. Mae is annoyed that Harry wants to be involved in her first-ever fashion launch. Jimmy makes his mark.
Harry is enjoying himself in the roaring 20s. Grove contemplates retirement. Jimmy and Harry begin a risky new business venture, leaving Gordon angry. Harry returns to work to quash retirement rumours and makes the acquaintance of Jimmy Dillon. Kitty meets Elizabeth Arden who is opening a concession stand in the store.
Harry whisks a large group of journalists to Biarritz in celebration of the hugely successful launch of the Selfridge Trust. Soon the party gets out of hand with Harry announcing the purchase of a raft of new department stores. In London, the staff prepare for a visit from author AA Milne and Grove tries to live his life as normal, but is soon distracted by a blast from the past.
Double Trouble is been filmed on the ground floor of the store, with the whole space transformed into a movie set. Harry is delighted that a film starring the Dolly Sisters and Bumby Wallace, has got the store been the talk of London again. Mr Grove and Miss Mardle struggle with the past and future. Kitty realises something horrible. Mae reconnects with Victor.
Harry is reeling after the assault on the store. D'Ancona begins piling on more pressure so Harry is really feeling the strain, especially as the store receives a ton of bad press. Harry soon realises he has to be honest about his financial affairs. Mr Grove and Miss Mardle prepare for their upcoming event. Meryl needs Tilly's help for a task. Lady Mae and Victor become closer, making Jimmy more and more jealous.
June 1928. Kitty Edwards leaves for her new job in New York and after seeking advice from Selfridge, Frank goes with her. Gordon Selfridge resolves a law suit between his father and press baron Lord Wynnstay. Meryl Grove pleads for Mae's black seamstress who has been given extra work only for Mr Grove to dismiss her. Selfridge's consolidation plans are put on hold when he agrees to Jimmy Dillon's scheme to buy iconic Bayswater store William Whiteley Limited. Lord Wynnstay's reporter finds a connection between Colleano, Selfridge, D'Ancona and Jimmy Dillon.
Harry, Gordon and Jimmy are working extra hard before their purchase of Whiteley's is announced. Grove and Crabb believe that their time is up at the company and Grove readies his retirement. Meryl looks for Tilly. Crabb offers to help out with the Whiteley accounts, but soon makes a shocking discovery. Grove has a health scare and is sent home. Mae and Harry grow closer.
Preparations are underway for celebrating the 20th anniversary of the store opening. Harry gets special permission to run a parade down Oxford Street, but first has to contend with the suppliers' embargo for Whiteley's. Mardle struggles to cope to make sure life continues as normal for the Grove children. Meryl suggests Mardle heads back to work and a vacancy may of just opened up for her. Jimmy's accountant makes a revelation about the Whiteley's accounts. Jimmy wonders if he can borrow stock from Selfridges as he doubts the embargo been lifted. Meryl and Freddy bring the Grove family back together for a special treat. Joe Tooby of the London Herald, has found a hole in Jimmy's story and takes his allegations straight to the press.
March 1929. Jimmy Dillon's final act leaves Selfridge shaken and Gordon struggling to hold things together. Mae leaves for Paris. Selfridge returns to the store and promotes Miss Mardle to deputy manager and his attempt to woo the suppliers backfires when the embargo is extended to Selfridge's. Gordon approaches the main shareholder Civic Assurance, and brokers a deal to save the store who agree as long as Selfridge stands down. Mr Crabb also retires. On the 20th anniversary Selfridge leaves the store to be met by Mae.
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