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Fortnum closes the lid on the £25,000 superhamper
Jonathan Prynn, Consumer Business Editor31 Jul 2009
The box of delights was the ultimate in showy Christmas decadence.
Last December a fortunate few customers of Fortnum & Mason were happy to fork out £25,000 for London's most exclusive Christmas hamper. Seven sombre months of recession on, however, and the mood has changed.
The Piccadilly grocer has quietly dropped its top-of-the-range Snow Queen hamper, as well as its £5,000 version, and a £1,000 hamper will now be its most expensive.
The move came after the store decided that a collection including a goosedown powder puff, a silk opera scarf, a magnum of 1990 Veuve Clicquot and a 4lb tin of Beluga caviar may not have struck the right note as unemployment climbs towards three million.
Managing director Beverley Aspinall said: "Yes, we've taken out the very top levels at £25,000 and £5,000 in response to the circumstances. We used to sell a few but in the current climate they're probably not appropriate."
Other retailers popular with the City community said they were also reflecting the new realities. Harrods will not offer its £5,000 Chairman's Selection hamper this year. Its wealthier customers will select the contents of their hampers from the Food Hall using a personal concierge service.
Harvey Nichols bucks the trend with a £2,500 hamper.
