MARY PORTAS - Biography

Retail guru Mary Portas is probably the United Kingdom's foremost authority on retail and brand communication.  As Creative Director at London’s most respected retail branding and communications agency, Yellowdoor, Mary is recognised throughout the trade as the “Queen of Shops”.

Previously Creative Director of Harvey Nichols, Mary repositioned the Harvey Nichols brand into the world renowned store and restaurant group it is today. Mary’s foresight and unique knowledge of brands, retail trends and consumer insights prompted her to launch Yellowdoor in 1997 when she saw a need for integrated and creative brand communication in the retail, fashion, luxury and beauty sectors. Under Mary’s guidance, Yellowdoor have created category challenging campaigns for a wide range of brands on the high street including Clarks, Louis Vuitton, Oasis, Swarovski, Dunhill, Boden, Thomas Pink, Westfield London, and Patek Philippe.

Mary’s first book “Windows – The Art of Retail Display” published by Thames and Hudson in five languages, quickly became the worldwide authority. In April 07, Mary’s second book “How to Shop”, was published through BBC books offering the ultimate 21st century guide to retail therapy.

In 2005 Mary was commissioned to write a weekly feature in the Saturday Telegraph Magazine reviewing the state of the nation’s shops. Mary now sits on the panel judging the annual national Telegraph Best shops in Britain awards. The column is now one of the retail industries definitive reads.

In May 07, a major new series “Mary Queen of Shops” produced by Optomen Television for BBC2 launched, going behind the scenes of the fashion retail world by rescuing a series of failing boutiques. A second series aired in Summer 2008. Following the success of these two series, Mary has been nominated for two RTS Awards in the 2009 “Presenter” and “Features and Lifestyle series” categories.

In Spring 2009, Mary launched her own unique take on the two critical crisis facing our world – the financial and the environmental – Mary Queen of Charity shops. Mary became the global ambassador for Save the Children and overhauled their shop in Orpington as part of the series. Mary followed with a pop up charity shop in Westfield London, subsequently creating her first permanent shop -  ‘Mary’s Living and Giving for Save the Children’ in Stockbridge, Edinburgh.

On 19 June 2009, in a ceremony at Galashiels, Herriot-Watt University awarded Portas a Doctorate of Letters in recognition of her career and her contribution to the advancement of marketing and brand communications within the retail sector.

In June 2010, Mary will take on the supermarkets for her third series of Mary Queen of Shops, showcasing six British Shopkeepers and their struggle to stay in business.