The Chinese - both British-born and from overseas - are reputed to have taken the sales by storm this year, searching for luxury goods at knock-down prices.
Retailers including Selfridges and John Lewis have reported the trend, one of the knock-on effects of a booming Chinese economy. Around 700 million people are expected to have joined the Chinese "consumer class" by 2020.
A spokesman for Selfridges said: "The Chinese have always been keen on status symbols. And luxury goods, especially handbags, have become increasingly popular.
"We have a particularly strong handbag department - that's why we've attracted a large number of Chinese, both British residents and tourists. Even Chinese students were spending heavily."
I can well believe that the number of wealthy Chinese tourists coming here is on the up but I didn't realise that we bbcs were noticeably bigger spenders at the sales than other people. Maybe I'm just not a big shopper!
2 comments:
Where I am in Manc, there are always tons of Chinese (I suspect Mainland) buying Gucci, Chanel and LV, driving big new Mercedes, even when they are students. Mum and Dad funding it from home?!
I agree, when it comes to buying goods the chinese do it in style. As a BBC, I know how much money can be thrown about without a blink-of-an-eye. My mum often says that money is like water to some! Don't know if you've heard that expression. I grew up in Southampton and I think my spending power is the same as a lot of western working class people. Ok so my weekend shift at my parents' take away gave me that little extra but I could never afford any expensive designer gear. It wasn't until I moved to London and was surrounded by international student (Chinese, Japanese, Korean....) that how 'poor' I was. They all had designer bags hanging off their arms, stylish new clothes every day and immaculate hair and make-up - surely this all costs money. Anyway I just came to the conclusion their mummy and daddy back home funded their spending spree! I can't compete with them and I don't want to. I'm happy shopping in Primark :)
Post a Comment