Downturn-busting Christmas season

Department store Selfridges unveiled its Christmas offering in the hope that customers will consider the economic crisis to be out of fashion. A £9,500 bed and a £3,000 bottle of Chanel No. 5 perfume were among the items on display as the store...

Department store Selfridges unveiled its Christmas offering in the hope that customers will consider the economic crisis to be out of fashion.

A £9,500 bed and a £3,000 bottle of Chanel No. 5 perfume were among the items on display as the store launched its Christmas season - its earliest-ever start.

Parents can indulge their children with a £10,000 Audi electric car, or a £500 Audi pedal car for those on a budget.

The store's Christmas theme this year is "play", based on the belief that consumers are sick of the downturn and the frugal living it requires.

Other items tipped to be top Christmas sellers are a £950 case of Creme de la Mer skincare, an £895 leather skateboard and a £52 pair of Bjorn Borg strip poker underpants.

Selfridges spokeswoman Sophie Hedley said: "We think our customers will be ready to indulge this Christmas.

"Our offer is one that customers can buy into at a variety of price points, from £11.49 for a calorie counting bar to £50 for a Lego ring and £10,000 for an electric Audi children's car."

At the lower end of the price scale is a £115 quilted iPad holder and a £100 doll's house made from environmentally-friendly rubberwood.

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