Bloomie's Bested by the Brits

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Looks like football, er, soccer isn't the only area of US v. UK rivalry this year. In the case of the Best Department Store in the World award, the UK-based Selfridges just bested the global competition, including our very own Bloomingdale's. Awarded by the Intercontinental Group of Department Stores and the International Association of Department Stores (that's a mouthful), the contestants are judged by innovation, prestige, financial performance and "in-store experience". Selfridge's vice-chairman accepted the award with a statement of thanks and proceeded to rub it in with his not-so-modest declaration, "Selfridges is the most relevant and exciting department store today." Don't get too comfortable, there's always next year. [Vogue UK]