Selfridges’ chief executive André Maeder says the retailer is rebounding, with the group returning to profit, and he calls on Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s successor (referred to in coverage as “Burnham”) to restore tax-free shopping for tourists. Maeder links the outcome to the company’s ability to perform despite pressure in retail and the wider economy, describing the results as demonstrating resilience.
The outlets emphasize that the profit return comes after a difficult period for high-street retail, with Maeder pointing to the business’s performance in a challenging environment. The coverage also highlights the policy angle: the retailer argues that bringing back tax-free shopping would support tourist spending and help strengthen trading conditions, particularly for shopping destinations.
While both sources report the same core points—profit recovery and Maeder’s appeal for tax-free arrangements—neither provides extensive details on the underlying drivers of the results or the specific policy mechanism being sought. The emphasis therefore remains on the executive’s message and the connection drawn between tourism policy and retail performance.
