[3] Fred had trained in retail in Paris and is said to have been inspired by Le Bon Marché,[4] which is regarded as one of the first ever department stores.

Outlets in Windsor and York followed in 1980 and 1984 respectively, with a limited range of departments, specialising in clothing, fashion accessories and cosmetics.

[12] Bentalls in Bracknell closed in 2017 with the opening of a new Fenwick store in The Lexicon Shopping Centre, located in the same town.

[14] In a statement, the company said: "Amid the turbulent economic environment, fresh capital investment is required in order to return the business to profitable growth.

The company operates eight outlets across England (January 2024): Newcastle upon Tyne, Bracknell, Brent Cross Shopping Centre in London, Canterbury, Colchester, Kingston upon Thames, Royal Tunbridge Wells and York[15] as well as online.

In 2022, the Bond Street store was put up for sale at £500 million, listed as a 'redevelopment opportunity' after the COVID-19 pandemic failed plans for the Fenwick family to sell the chain entirely.

The original and flagship[18] store in the group occupies a large site in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Fenwick offers a wide range of goods and services with a focus on premium and luxury products.

[19] The store is known locally for its extravagant Christmas window displays, filled with detailed sets and sophisticated moving figures, which have appeared since 1971.

[20][21] In 2022, Fenwick announced an investment of £40 million over the next five years in the refurbishment of its Newcastle, flagship, adding two new atria and renovating the beauty hall and accessories area.