English 中文网 漫画网 爱新闻iNews 翻译论坛
中国网站品牌栏目(频道)
当前位置: Language Tips> 天天读报> 每日播报

Pound lures Chinese to UK stores

[ 2009-09-02 12:57]     字号 [] [] []  
免费订阅30天China Daily双语新闻手机报:移动用户编辑短信CD至106580009009

进入英语学习论坛下载音频

Chinese shoppers have been brightening the economic gloom in London where they have been flocking to luxury stores in the West End on spending sprees that have been turning heads in England's capital.

Observers say consumers from China have replaced Russia's super-rich as the city's big spenders and lifted the spirits of top-end stores following nine months of recession.

Data from tax rebate companies suggests Chinese tourists have been spending three to four times more than they were a year ago in London's chic shopping districts.

On Bond Street, which is famous for its designer boutiques and jewelry stores, shoppers spent more than those from the Gulf states, Russia, the United States and oil-rich Nigeria.

"We are looking for good-quality branded stuff," said Lillian Wang, a 28-year-old bank worker from Beijing who was shopping on Oxford Street, one of London's main thoroughfares. "I'm not as crazy as others, buying a dozen Louis Vuittons (bags), but I'm sure they are a lot cheaper here than in Beijing.

"A cheaper pound has also helped."

In addition to top labels, Chinese shoppers are being drawn to everyday items, and they are not as easily seduced by lifestyle offerings as shoppers from many other countries.

For example, top-end retailers have employed Mandarin-speaking sales staff to cope with the influx of Chinese customers, but London's chic hotels have not yet seen more Chinese spending, said Charles Wang of tour operator Travco.

"You still find that the majority of Chinese shoppers stay at standard four-star hotels in London but at the same time easily spend thousands and thousands of pounds on brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Armani and Burberry," he said.

The trend is even more marked elsewhere.

Global Refund, which arranges sales tax refunds for tourists, reported a 164-percent rise in sales to Chinese customers on Bond Street in the first seven months of 2009, compared to one year ago. Spending by Russians fell 27 percent, although at 1,295 pounds ($2,100), their average spending was still higher than that of typical Chinese shoppers, which stood at 972 pounds.

"In spite of the downturn, the growth in Chinese spending is a trend we expect will continue to the end of 2009," said Global Refund's vice president of UK sales, Nigel Dasler. "Seventy percent of their tourism expenditure is on shopping."

(英语点津 Helen 编辑)

Pound lures Chinese to UK stores

About the broadcaster:

Pound lures Chinese to UK stores

Chantal Anderson is a multimedia journalist at the China Daily Web site. Originally from Seattle, Washington she has found her way around the world doing photo essays in Greece, Mexico and Thailand. She is currently completing a double degree in Journalism and International Studies from the University of Washington.

 
中国日报网英语点津版权说明:凡注明来源为“中国日报网英语点津:XXX(署名)”的原创作品,除与中国日报网签署英语点津内容授权协议的网站外,其他任何网站或单位未经允许不得非法盗链、转载和使用,违者必究。如需使用,请与010-84883631联系;凡本网注明“来源:XXX(非英语点津)”的作品,均转载自其它媒体,目的在于传播更多信息,其他媒体如需转载,请与稿件来源方联系,如产生任何问题与本网无关;本网所发布的歌曲、电影片段,版权归原作者所有,仅供学习与研究,如果侵权,请提供版权证明,以便尽快删除。
 

关注和订阅

人气排行

翻译服务

中国日报网翻译工作室

我们提供:媒体、文化、财经法律等专业领域的中英互译服务
电话:010-84883468
邮件:translate@chinadaily.com.cn