Arcadia

Abstract

This chapter explores the little-studied world of early nineteenth century consumerism. It argues that the West End became productive of new forms of shopping aimed principally at an elite market but one that was increasingly colonized by the growing middle classes. It looks at the development of Regent Street, at the construction of shopping arcades (including the Burlington Arcade on Piccadilly) and bazaars that, it argues, anticipated the department store. The chapter also looks at the development of elite tailoring (Savile Row) and the importance of West End bookshops such as Hatchard’s in the construction of intellectual networks.