Chinese fuel shops boost
LONDON saw a 167 per cent increase in Chinese shoppers in October, compared to the same month last year.
The rise has been fuelled by shoppers snapping up designer goods and a Chinese holiday which saw more holidaymakers than ever from the country.
As well as the rise in customers the average spend was up 37 per cent, according to the figures from financial services company Global Blue.
Harrods and Selfridges are among the most popular shopping venues for the Chinese shoppers, the poll revealed.
Meanwhile Hermès, Chanel, Cartier, and Louis Vuitton are the brands which are flying off the shelves.
Nigel Dasler, vice president of financial services firm Global Blue, said: “There are 50m Chinese shoppers travelling outside China now and this is set to double by 2020 to 100m as air capacity grows and visa restrictions potentially relax.
“Retailers the world over are beginning to realise the growing value of the brand-conscious Chinese traveller and are engaging new and innovative ways to reach out to them.”
Harrods said it was providing special services for Chinese tourist groups hitting the shop.
A spokesman said: “We are also continually tailoring our service offering by working closely with Chinese tour operators to accommodate pre-booked groups, as well as by providing bespoke services.”
Meanwhile, in a separate report business advisory firm Deloitte predicted that the value of retail spending in the UK will increase by one per cent year-on-year this Christmas, to just over £37bn.