The list of the most expensive shopping streets in the world has been released, and a renowned shopping destination in London’s West End has come out on top.
The “Main Streets Across the World” list is published every year by real estate company Cushman & Wakefield, with 2025 marking its 35th year running.
The report analyses the places where high-end retail is booming, calculated by the average rent on a commercial unit on any street.
This year, the top spot was awarded to London’s own New Bond Street, which saw an average annual rent of a staggering £1,706 per square foot.
Just a year ago, New Bond Street only placed third, but after a whopping 22 per cent increase in rent, the London luxury haven has climbed the ranks to number one.
New Bond Street is a favourite for luxury hawks, home to critically acclaimed high-end brands that few can afford, from designer clothing brands like Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton, to luxury jeweller Cartier.
Despite warnings that London’s retail market is suffering from the cost-of-living crisis, this new data shows that London has benefited from a recent “resurgence” in global retail demand.
Rent costs are climbing for other retailers across the city too, with London shopping hotspots like Oxford Street and Regent Street seeing rent costs go up by more than 10 per cent.
The rising costs look to line the pockets of property investors handsomely, but may spell trouble for consumers and businesses having to foot the bill, as costs rise in tandem.
On average, rent across streets listed in the report increased by 4.2 per cent across the world, meaning that British price hikes are aligning with what’s being seen on the world map, too.
This may indicate a positive sign for economics watchers, as British capital growth offers promising prospects when compared to other cities of a similar weight class.
Milan’s famous Via Montenapoleone, for example, which topped the chart last year, saw its annual rent stay at £1,666 per square foot, keeping it aligned with last year’s numbers and knocking it down to second place.
