Westfield London is hoping for a week of bumper business when visitors from China head to the Shepherd’s Bush shopping centre.
Chinese Golden Week is a seven-day holiday starting on National Day on October 1, and sees thousands of tourists come to shop at Westfield’s The Village, where luxury brands such as Burberry, Hackett London and Mulberry are found.
According to the shopping centre, Chinese Golden Week is one of the strongest months for Chinese spend at Westfield, alongside Chinese New Year in February and the January sales period.
Chinese spend at The Village accounts for 25% of non-EU spend in October with the average spend reaching £1,159 in 2014 – an increase of 30% year-on-year.
At Westfield London, watches and jewellery are the best selling product categories for this market, while the overseas customers can take advantage of tailored services including Mandarin-speaking concierge, retail staff and mall guides, digital in-centre screens, and a Mandarin website.
The shopping centre also widely accepts China Union Pay card and offers discount cards.
Meanwhile businesses in The Village are also making plans to welcome the shoppers. Among them is jewellery designers George Jenson, which will give away a pair of Bernadotte chopsticks with purchases of £500 and above.
Myf Ryan, Westfield marketing director of UK and Europe said: “The purchasing power of this market during Golden Week has become increasingly evident with a significant increase of Chinese shoppers visiting Westfield year-on-year. Our luxury brands and unrivalled service, means Westfield is a particularly attractive destination to Chinese shoppers visiting London.”
