Monday, December 17, 2012

Visitors from the Middle East to the Chic Outlet Shopping® Village in Europe Increased During the Third Quarter of 2012, with a Growth in Tax Refunded Sales of 52%Compared to the Same Period in 2011

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Monday, December 17th 2012 [ME NewsWire]

Value Retail, developer and operator of the nine Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages in Europe, announced that sales from Middle Eastern visitors represent the number two non-European nationality across the Villages. Tax refunded sales generated by visitors from the Middle East to grew by 52% in the third quarter of this year with China, the Middle East and Russia representing the three largest markets for the Collection respectively.

Total tax refunded sales generated by non-EU visitors to the Collection grew by 46% compared to the same period last year. Average tax refunded spend from Middle Eastern visitors reaching €285  This reflects  the increasing appeal of the Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages to Middle Eastern travellers, an ongoing trend which looks likely to continue in 2013.

IngolstadtVillage, strategically located between Munich and Nuremberg, experienced an increased of 133% in tax refunded sales made by Middle Eastern visitors in quarter three of this year. The GCC countries continue to represent one of the top twenty source markets in the German tourism industry. The cultural richness, natural scenery and high class service, all ensure to strengthen the popularity of Germany as top travel destination for the market.

“In the first three quarters of 2012 we saw strong growth in tax refunded sales generated by visitors from the Middle East. In particular, tax refunded sales generated by visitors from Kuwait were up by 63%, with guests from Qatar generating a 76% increase, compared to the same period last year. The growth has been fuelled in part by our development of key travel trade partnerships in the market, with regional heavyweights such as Etihad. The latest sales data point to a trend in increasingly popularity of the two Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages in Germany – Ingolstadt Village and Wertheim Village – with our Middle Eastern guests, with the country firmly established as a must-visit destination for visitors to Europe. As official partners of the National Tourist Board of Germany, both Ingolstadt Village and Wertheim Village are important shopping tourism destinations in their own right.”

Ian Stazicker, Head of Tourism, Value Retail PLC

Tax refunded sales generated by all non-EU visitors to theCollection of nine Villages achieved a 46% increase in like-for-like sales growth compared to the same period last year, with an average spend of €285.

The Chic Outlet Shopping® Villagescontinue to be must-visit international shopping destinations for tourists visiting Europe from all over the world. The Collection of Villages features more than 900 luxury outlet boutiques of renowned international and niche European brands offering reductions of up to 60% on the recommended retail price, all year round, in addition to the tax free savings (of up to 15%) for non-EU residents. Coveted names that attract international customers include Bally, Belstaff, Bimba & Lola, Desigual, Diane von Furstenberg, Marlies Dekkers, Missoni, Mulberry, Tumi and Vivienne Westwood, with some 50 brands having chosen the Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages as home to their only outlet boutique worldwide, including Smythson, Agent Provocateur, Anya Hindmarch, Matthew Williamson and Temperley London.

About Chic Outlet Shopping®

Chic Outlet Shopping®is the Collection of luxury outlet Villages by Value Retail, the only company to specialise exclusively in the development and operation of luxury outlet shopping villages. Currently home to more than 900 boutiques, the nine Villages offer the authentic previous seasons’ collections of leading luxury fashion and lifestyle brands with savings of up to 60%, and sometimes more, on the recommended retail price, all year round. Within easy reach of some of Europe’s and China's favourite gateway cities – London, Dublin, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Bologna, Brussels, Antwerp, Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich and, coming soon, Suzhou/Shanghai – the Villages have become synonymous with high fashion, superior service and hospitality, a calendar of celebrated events, and exceptional value for money. Located in regions of cultural and historic renown, the Villages have become international tourist destinations in their own right. Value Retail's new venture to bring its distinctive Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages to China will see its first Village – Suzhou Village™ – located in historic Suzhou, 50 miles west of Shanghai. As with other members of the Collection, Suzhou Village™ will be defined by its offer of international luxury fashion and lifestyle brands, together with an exceptional level of service.

Contacts

Sophie Snow

Communications Manager

Sophie.Snow@havasprme.com

+971 4 455 6000



 

No comments:

Post a Comment