Man complains to Selfridges for being "hounded" by a female member of staff

A married man has complained to Selfridges over claims he was “hounded” and sexually harassed by a female shop assistant when out looking for a Valentine’s Day gift for his wife.

David Lee, 37, had been at the Trafford Centre with a friend on Monday morning when the alleged incident happened and said the experience made them feel so uncomfortable they had to leave.

The pair had been browsing for aftershave and perfume in the department store’s fragrance section when Mr Lee said they were approached by the saleswoman by the Thierry Mugler stand.

David, who lives in Bolton with wife Joyce and their children, said: “At first she was trying to pressure us into buying things, pushing things in front of our noses.

She asked us what we do and I said I worked in mental health, and she began to make really inappropriate comments about people with mental health problems such as depression:

David says her younger colleagues looked appalled and disgusted by her attitude, to which she responded by making inappropriate comments about them as well.

He said the saleswoman, who was in her forties, didn’t appear drunk, but compared the experience to being on a night out in the city centre.

He added:

The pair left the Trafford Centre as well as a result of the experience and went to Harvey Nichols in Manchester instead to continue their shopping and catch up.

David said the service they received there was “the other end of the spectrum”.

He has since complained to Selfridges but feels their response so far has been “very blasé”.

David said a sales manager for Thierry Mugler is also looking into the complaint and has been extremely helpful.

He finished: