International visitors boost footfall and spending in London over Easter
Retailers in London’s West End enjoyed a 3.9% rise in footfall year-on-year over the Easter weekend driven by an increase in international visitors from America, the Nordic Countries, Germany and France.
The New West End Company, which represents 600 retailers on Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street, said the rise in footfall constituted over £130 million in spend for Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday.
While Oxford Street saw a record breaking 15% rise in footfall on Easter Monday, Bond Street reported a 6.3% increase over the three days driven by high spending international shoppers.
Jace Tyrrell of New West End Company explained: “Despite reports of domestic travellers making last minute overseas trips, and concern amongst businesses that the cold weather would keep shoppers at home, shoppers were out in force in London’s West End with some retailers reporting double digit growth. It was a ‘Mega Monday’ on Oxford Street as shoppers took to the streets, equating to a huge 15% footfall leap in visitors compared to Easter Monday 2012.”
Never Miss a Retail Update!The New West End Company said that retailers had reported record sales of beauty products as both international visitors and domestic shoppers took advantage of winter season sales.
