El Corte Inglés stores are characterised by the large premises they occupy with free parking. They are stores where you can find everything you might need: fashion, accessories, stationery, books, music, sportswear and equipment, home wares,etc.

It is famous for its returns policy and customer service, as well as loyalty card, finance options, after sales service, wedding lists and gift cards, home delivery service and ticket sales for shows and cultural events. Its guarantee of "Satisfaction or your money back" is the company's after sales service mantra. A policy that has won it many loyal clients both nationally and internationally.

The Castellana branch of this department store is at number 79, spread over 6 floors, a ground floor and three basement levels, selling fashion and accessories for women, men and children, appliances, food, decoration, culture and leisure, electronics, video games, sports and home ware, including several luxury concessions. It also has parking, a travel agency, and a cafeteria.

In Madrid, there are other branches of El Corte Inglés on Calle Princesa, Calle Preciados, Calle Arapiles, Calle Goya, Calle Serrano, and la Plaza de Callao.

El Corte Inglés takes its name from a small tailoring business founded in 1890 and situated between calle Preciados, calle Carmen and calle Rompelanzas in Madrid. In 1935 Ramón Areces Rodríguez, backed by his uncle César Rodríguez, bought the tailors and began his business adventure.

From the end of the 60s through to the mid 90s, the El Corte Inglés group experienced a period of enormous growth, with expansion into other provincial capitals and diversification of its commercial activities, marking the beginning of a presence in other areas of business.

In 1995 it bought out its main competitor in the Spanish market, Galerías Preciados and in 2001 the company acquired the nine stores of the British group Marks & Spencer when the latter ceased trading in Spain.