Department stores are going further than ever, offering an array of innovative concierge and bespoke services to retain discerning cashrich, time-poor clients. Everything under one roof? But, of course

The era when department stores offered everything you might need under one roof might be long gone (with a few honourable exceptions, like Harrods). But today’s more specialised multi-brand stores are waking up to the fact that they can offer things that no singlebrand retailer, or luxury website, can possibly do

In New York, Barneys is touting what it claims is the only service of its kind, a 24-hour concierge service which will help you with restaurant reservations, theatre, concerts and sporting events tickets and car services. And the New York and Beverly Hills stores have added a studio services section, a special department dedicated to stylists, costume designers, and production companies offering assistance with wardrobing and set decoration. According to a spokesman, Barneys has worked with every major film studio and a long list of TV series. “Production companies come here and together with our specialists we find the right wardrobe for every one of the characters in their series.” They did all the wardrobing for the hit TV series The West Wing.

In London, Harvey Nichols is pushing the limits on its personal shopping service which according to their spokesman has a far larger turnover than 10 years ago and has also become much more sophisticated. Over time they have been able to build up an extensive database of their clients likes and past purchases. “And we have access to their agents, house staff, P.A’s, etc, etc, who keep us abreast of their needs and the events coming up in their calendars,” the spokesman says.

They also point out that personal shopping has gone far beyond simply helping clients match a bag and shoes. “We also shop for gifts for our established customers, whether a handbag for their wife, perfume for their daughter or a good wine for a colleague. Sue Walker (a concession on our homes floor) completely dressed a client’s house for Christmas and it is not unusual for us to track down specifically requested items even if they are not within a Harvey Nichols store as part of the service.”

Just down the street, Harrod’s offers aircraft and helicopter charter and personal banking services. And that’s just the start. Looking for a personalised Monopoly board? Want your child’s photo on a bar of chocolate? How about a party for 150 guests in the legendary Food Halls? A bespoke perfume? Or a custom-built bicycle that includes repairs and servicing for everything from changing a punctured tyre to recalibrating the brakes? No problem. Harrods can handle it.

And if you have an unsatisfied sweet tooth, their gelateria will create your own flavour of ice cream or sorbet in just 24 hours. And you can always head over to the toy department to have a rocking horse made to your child’s exact taste – including choice of colour, leather and hair type, their name and date embroidered on the saddle and a personal time capsule placed inside the horse.

But does little Oliver – or Oleg - really need to choose the paintwork, interior upholstery and in-car entertainment for his new petrol-driven ride-on Hummer toy car? Harrods thinks so and customers agree – after all today’s spoiled five year old is tomorrow’s master of the universe. – Guy Fiorita