I've always been a bit fascinated by Mary Portas, she just seemed so cool and looked to have the perfect jobs, and I've been keeping my eye out for this book ever since it was first announced.

There are a lot of chapters, nearly 70, which means they're short, which I loved. I love a short chapter.

She's been really honest about a lot of difficult things like losing your parents, new job worries, and the never-ending sorrow of grief.

I understand window dressing and it's importance as someone who used to work in retail, but I'd never given it much thought as to how it could majorly impact the success of a shop.

There weren't any photos in my early digital copy, but it definitely needs some - hopefully they will be in the finished copy, because she refers to so many of the window displays and clothes but it's hard to keep googling trying to find what she's referring to, so hopefully they will appear in the published copy.

I mean, if you're into fashion or merchandising then you will love this. I can't say if you will if you're not into that. I'm somewhere in between. I'm into it but I'm not a slave to it, I find it interesting. And I don't think you have to be obsessive about it to enjoy this book. I think you can appreciate Mary's way of getting her story across without having to have any prior knowledge of brands or shops etc.

I read it in a day, it was absorbing and I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it.

I Shop, Therefore I Am is an entertaining and insightful glimpse into Mary Portas’s early career and her transformation of Harvey Nichols during the 1990s. The backdrop of Britpop, supermodels, and a changing cultural landscape makes for a lively read, and Portas’s wit and candour shine through every short, snappy chapter.

Entertaining glimpse behind the scenes of high-end fashion retailing, frequently enlightening - especially for those who weren't around in the '80s! An great insight into the difficulties of being creative in business, in particular when - as I know from my own experiences - the bean-counters take charge and decide to cut what they see as "fat" and immediately chop marketing and PR budgets as an easy target.

The final section of the book, however, comes across as somewhat disingenuous. Ms Portas reveals that she's now championing sustainability and ethical business. It doesn't ring true from someone was was handsomely paid while at the forefront of promoting fast fashion and season-by-season high spending on the latest on-trend colours and flavour-of-the-week designers. I find it hard to believe that she didn't see the problem at the time. I think it was MTV in the 80s who used to say "If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem". I was also uncomfortable with the idea of taking kudos for diverting the Christmas shop window budget to charities one year; it might have given a few people a nice warm feeling, but wouldn't sustained long-term support for organisations be a better choice?

At the end of the day for me the most interesting part of the book was a young woman coping with the loss of her mother. I too lost mine early, so empathised with the concept of there being a big hole in your life that's never filled. However, that empathy was sorely challenged as I read on; there was no nanny and maternity nurse to ease things along for me, it was just back to work after the three-month maternity leave and back into a full-time job.

So, a book that amused and entertained me at times, but felt so out of touch...

This is a very interesting account of Mary Portas' life . It is well written in short chapters. It contains personal stories and anecdotes about the famous people she knows and is friends with. The window dressing accounts are fascinating. It seems she is responsible for transforming Harvey Nicks into the fashionable store we know today.

Mary Portas is a legend in the field of retail, a big personality of tv and has a reputation for fairness and social responsibility, in my mind anyway. I was aware of her difficult start in life, but did not know how she had made her name, progressing through sheer determination at quite a young age. The memoir, if it can be called that, is quite nostalgic, written in a diary style. It is really a series of anecdotally written things which happened over a period of years. I loved the references to music and fashion (with an awful lot of name dropping on the way)

I loved Mary's book. The writing style will appear to the conent consumers of today; short chapters with great pace, very visual storytelling - this makes sense, she’s a visual merchandiser, but she puts the showstopper into the written word as well as a dress on a mannequin.

With snappy chapter titles like “who needs laxatives?” she gets you wanting to read the next section. It is very 'scroll worthy' of todays content obsessed rectangle watches.

I grew up in the 90s, born in 1990, I loved Ab Fab and Harvey Nicks was a brand I was well aware of and understood it to be the glam of the fashion world. Reading behind the scenes, with these well rendered descriptions of the scene set up, the white kuckle of emotions and termoil, deadlines, meetings with the big execs, the sucesses, the anxiety of possible faliues and the joy of the big wins. I cant reccomend this book highly enough.

FIVE STARS!

I've loved Mary Portas since the "Mary Queen of Shops" TV shows aired but I didn't really know much about her life so I was really happy to be accepted to read this ARC.

One thing I love in a book is short chapters and these are perfect - snappy, concise and super easy to pick up and put down. There are so many interesting stories of life behind the scenes of a department store as well as Marys personal life. Honestly some autobiographies can be very boring; especially if you only know the celebrity for one thing, say a TV show, then their early years may not be that interesting to you and you just want to skip to the celebrity gossip! In Marys book though every chapters is interesting, funny, informative. I was just so surprised at what a life she has lived, especially after a hard start in life losing both her parents.

This has to be one of my surprise reads of the year so far, a really good read i would recommend to all.

Thank you, NetGalley and Canongate, for providing an advanced copy of 'I Shop, Therefore I Am' by Mary Portas. Having been a shop worker, most fondly in Crabtree and Evelyn I was very happy to read this. It brought back memories of that time but more so in terms of key events/television and so on that Portas references. It’s a different kind of book to my usual non-fiction go to’s. Mary Portas herself was a big part in my interest in reading this, as I enjoy her shows, articles and interviews.

Overall this was a very insightful and interesting read, I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Mary Portas as a person, how she operates in her professional life and all involved in revolutionising a then struggling brand Harvey Nicks to be the trendy brand it is today.

It was well written, with wit and humour. The style was highly readable; snappy and well paced, I really appreciated the short chapters. It was also an immersive read, capturing life in the fashion world and late 80’s and 90’s Britain. Numerous cultural references further captured the time. An interest in fashion is not essential for reading, however it really would be adored by those who do. It would make a perfect gift I believe, a very special book by a phenomenally talented, inspiring woman.

Thank you NetGalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Was soooo excited for this and it started out so strong. I love that the introduction started out immediately mentioning AbFab, with Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley making a surprise appearance in the beginning of the book that I did not expect but really appreciated, starting it off just right. This was a great start and I couldn’t wait for more.

And the rest truly lived up to my expectations of it and more! A much needed throw back to the late 80s, early 90s, and then late 90s’ world of fashion in the UK, more specifically the legendary Harvey Nichols in London. Of course, back then it was not the household name it is now. Thanks to Mary Portas, however, it evolved and became what it is today.

The author is a strong, confident woman that you instantly can’t help but admire and respect.

The book is fast paced, just as I imagine the lifestyle is,
and was written in a style so immersive and beautiful I couldn’t get enough. The chapters are short, each one consisting of a little story. I don’t want to give too much away but this was probably my favorite book of the year. Mary Portas was and continues to be a force to be reckoned with in the creative world, with brilliant, innovative ideas that revolutionised Harvey Nichols and the fashion industry.

Reading about her rise through the ranks in a male dominated world that cares more about money than creativity, and be able to make a name for herself was really inspiring.

Loved this book...a very informative and realistic insight into the retail and fashion industry. It charts Marys life whilst working at the iconic Harvey Nicks store..and also her home life at that time. It was an easy read..just like having Mary talk to you. It ended when she decided to leave the store...I hope that she writes another charting her life from that time onwards. The epilogue was very thought provoking..wise words from a wise woman.
Highly recommend

This is an absolute GEM of nostalgia which will instantly transport you to a world before social media where innovation and creativity captured the imagination of shoppers (and window shoppers alike) Mary Portas is just bloody brilliant and her memories - although perhaps slightly tinted with rose - are a delight to be immersed in. Effortlessly cool and always ahead of the curve (Barbie anyone?) fans of fashion, art and Ab Fab will completely adore this.

Really enjoyed this book - wonderfully nostalgic insight to the 90s world of fashion, retail and business, (with a nod to TV and music) and how it has changed over the years. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy.

I Shop, Therefore I Am, The 90s, Harvey Nicks and Me by Mary Portas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have been a huge fan of Mary Portas since first seeing her on screen with Mary Queen of Shops, then onto Mary Queen of the Charity Shop which I’m sure is what gave me my love of charity shops and which encouraged me to volunteer in some myself. Then onto Mary’s Bottom line which brought me to my first trip to Libertys to buy my own pair of knickers and checking who had made them IYKYK how.

So when I had the chance to read her new book ahead of publication about her time at Harvey Nichols I couldn’t wait to start it.

I loved every minute of the book and every story there was to hear about her time in the store. Having worked in retail for ten years there were so many times I couldn’t relate throughout, especially ‘when in doubt walk the shop floor’. Mary never held back on her thoughts and feelings of the times which was so refreshing.

Without giving away spoilers I loved the story between Mary, Harvey Nichols and Absolutely Fabulous having never known the history behind the show and I’m sure to be watching the show from season 1 soon.

I have also gone on to Goggle the windows Mary described in the book as having read the stories behind them I just wanted to be part of the moment.

A wonderful read for anyone which you can read from 2nd October 2025

One thing I will also add is I would love to hear about Mary’s Story after Harvey Nicks so another book would be most welcome!

I shop therefore I am by Mary Portas
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 out of 5)

“Every purchase is a small story about who we are, who we’ve been, or who we long to be.”

Mary Portas has always been the queen of retail, but this book proves her success did not come easily. Blending sharp cultural commentary with her trademark wit, she takes us on a journey behind the scenes of the intense and crazy world that is retail.

I studied fashion at college and have always had a passion for fashion and dressmaking and I could not help, whilst reading this, to think it may not be as captivating if you do not have that shared interest. Although upon reflection , if you have not got an interest in fashion you probably wouldn’t reach for this in the first place!

I was shocked to hear of Mary’s childhood and the passing of her parents and how it became such a turning point in her life.

I did feel saddened that this book was 80% about the world of Harvey nicks and didn’t go into her work with charity stores , her subsequent collaborations and the way she managed a personal relationship whilst working full time .

I also felt it was too packed with anecdotes at time and needed a little bit more heart although I can understand her reticence to open herself and be vulnerable on the page.

If you’re fascinated by fashion and retail, (in particular 90s fashion) this book will speak to you.

It’s part memoir and part cultural critique and will give you an insight into a world notorious for being closed off.

I have been a huge fan of Mary Portas since watching her BBC series - I didn't realise just how incredible a woman she is.

This book gives a history of key roles within Mary's career from Top Shop to her most prolific role within Hatvey Nicks (including her decision to involve the store in Ab Fab)

Mary Portas shares her memoir about her time at Harvey Nichols, the world of fashion, supermodels and luxury shopping.

Trying to find her space in an alpha dominated world, she talks about the importance of trusting your instincts, her inspiration from art and the struggles of juggling motherhood and a fast paced career.

I really enjoyed her relationships with her colleagues and was surprised at how relatable she came across as. Her creativity and flair are unparalleled and I found it a fun insight into how she came across trail blazing ideas for the modern vision of the department store.

“If you don’t take risks, nothing changes”

Thanks to NetGalley and Canongate Books for my advanced copy.

Very enjoyable read that's easy to pick up & dip into thanks to the episodic nature. Mary is a captivating storyteller, going from an adolescence that evokes the worst kind of fairytale to becoming one of the most recognised names in retail. Anyone interested in 90s culture or fashion should give this a look.

I'm a HUGE fan of Mary Portas and her style of leadership: smart, straight-talking, with a strong dose of heart and empathy. So I was really excited to read this book.

It's everything you could hope for - an insight into the world of 90s fashion filled with cultural references that took me right back to that decade (a formative one for me), and filled with fun, witty anecdotes.

I absolutely loved it - it was like a gossip session with a friend and my only criticism is that it was such a quick read, I wanted more!

Thanks to Mary Portas, Canongate and NetGalley for this ARC, in return for an honest review.

What a fantastic look at the private and professional life of one of the most recognizable people in retail.
Mary has built her own empire of style and initiative helping to position Harvey Nichols in to the world renowned brand that it is today
Even though she was at the helm of the windows and marketing she still gives accolades and credit to the team around her.
I really enjoyed this book and felt that I had a conversation with a good friend and catch up as we hadn't been in touch for a while.
Enjoy I did

I was asked by NetGalley to review and came in the long summer holidays so devoured this Darling in the garden.
Wow what a blast from the past, Mary a genius who set the way for others in retail and not just any retail this was Hrvey Nicks ( or as we now know from the tv series Ab Fab)
Not only was Mary trail blazing but a icon young people can look up to and learn from her, I wished it had not taken 40 years to leave an institution I thought I could not do anything else and change te direction of my career.
The 90s was an interesting time, politics was changing from Margaret Thatcher to Tony Blair (who at the time I was grateful to move into Governance within the NHS), Princess Diana, Alexander Mcqueen starting out, Kate Moss and others. It was still a very male dominated world so a pioneer woman changing the shape of an iconic store and retail was inspiring.
Well written totally inspiring and I have to say historic also.

Due for pblication in October so an ideal Christmas gift or half term read.

So recommended.