Chinese shoppers account for 15% of sales

Chinese holiday shopping accounts for 15% of all foreign London and UK sales. The Chinese, who love authentic European brands, benefit from no export costs when they come to shop during our sales season. The festive season saw a continued and

unprecedented rise in Chinese shoppers to London and the UK with sales in store up +103% in December, reports tourism shopping and spending company Global Blue.

The booming Chinese economy means personal spending power is climbing to staggering new heights - and there is no sign that the economy is slowing down. The growing perception in China of London, with its cutting edge boutiques, luxury quarters and world renowned department stores, as the world's top style destination, coupled with the chance to bag a bargain at the famous UK sales, has prompted a significant influx of Chinese shoppers to the UK through the December holiday season. As a result, Chinese shopper spend has doubled when compared to December 2009.

Says Nigel Dasler, VP U.K of Global Blue,"The newly acquired 'consumer' mindset and the ever-increasing wealth in China has spawned the notion of 'retail holidays'- fast becoming the most fashionable way to shop. And London is one of the most desirable fashion hotspots. Top purchases not only include handbags, designer jewellery and watches but there is now an increasing trend towards niche designer brands. Average Chinese shopper spend is up 22% with a 66% increase in transactions YOY and Chinese holiday shopping accounted for 15% of all foreign sales in store.

Nigel adds, "Also, Chinese are not generally Christian so there is no reason for them to stay at home with their families during Christmas. Instead, they are opting to travel to Europe in order to buy authentic luxury goods at cheaper Western rates. We are expecting to see this spend increase continue into February with Chinese visiting their friends and family for the Chinese New Year."

Image: Cartoon shopper