West End retailers are anticipating a rise in middle eastern customers celebrating the end of Ramadan with a shopping spree, research showed on Friday.
New West End Company, representing 600 traders around Oxford Street and Bond Street, forecasts Muslim tourists will contribute heavily to the £13 million it expects international shoppers to spend next month — up 53% on last year.
NWEC analyst Artjom Hatsaturjants said the end of Ramadan on Tuesday “signals a period of celebrations and gift giving”.
On average, Middle Eastern visitors spend £1447 on each shopping trip, according to tax-free shopping firm Global Blue.
Ray Clacher, vice-president at Trinity, which owns tailors Gieves & Hawkes and Kent & Curwen, said: “The festival of Eid [the end of Ramadan] signals the start of the selling season.”
Simon Cotton, the boss of cashmere specialist Johnstons of Elgin said: “We have seen a rise in shoppers from the Middle East of over 60% over the last year to our New Bond Street store. They now make up approximately 25% of our customer base in London."
