With this year’s London Fashion Week once more receiving international acclaim, research released today by VisitBritain shows that Britain can also be one of the vital world’s most sought-after destinations with regards to international shoppers.
Findings by the national tourism agency estimate that 18 million foreign visitors spent a till busting £4.5 billion in Britain’s shops, meaning 25 per cent of all expenditure by overseas visitors is at the UK’s high streets and within the country’s range of malls.
The VisitBritain survey reveals that almost all of the shopping spend was on clothes, with an estimated £2.3 billion generated by fashion-conscious foreign tourists.
Many visitors also bought souvenirs, gifts and household goods, accounting for around £1.6 billion.
Further analysis of the research found that a ‘shopping’ tourist spends more – a mean of £680 per trip – than an ‘ordinary’ overseas tourist who typically spends £580.
The survey also shows London’s world-class shops, stores and markets are a chief attraction for foreign visitors.
Around 81 per cent of holiday visitors to London went shopping.
The regional benefits also are clear, with between two thirds and 3 quarters of holiday visitors shopping around the UK.
Of the 18 million visitors, the French are our most prolific shoppers with over two million trips, followed closely by 1.63 million Germans, 1.63 million Americans, 1.3 million Irish and 1.1 million Spanish.
The Dutch, Australians, Italians, Belgians and Swedes complete the pinnacle ten. Of those, it’s the Australians who’ve the best propensity to head shopping (over three quarters of all Australian visitors).
Looking further on the findings, the emerging BRIC markets also rank highly with regards to propensity to buy, with Brazilians (73 per cent), Russians (68 per cent) and Chinese (65 per cent) all having a stronger than average appetite for shopping.
Indians are about average, with 58 per cent inclined to head shopping.
Sandie Dawe, chief executive at VisitBritain said: “Shopping in Britain is seen around the globe as a good and inviting experience, and among the things VisitBritain promotes to encourage visitors.
“It’s not only purchasing designer goods at Harrods, or rubbing shoulders with the wealthy and famous on Chelsea’s King’s Road that lures visitors to the united kingdom – a big number also make the trip to search out bargains, whether it’s finding the right deals on designer goods at Bicester Village and the McArthurGlen Stores, or hitting the high street in Edinburgh or Manchester.
“Our shopping experience is world class, with quality, desirable British brands enticing international visitors normally of the year and providing real value for money against our competitors.”