Latest technology tempts Brazilian shoppers to UK stores report Global Blue,tax free shopper experts

Oct. 10, 2011 - PRLog -- Whilst China continues to be the most important market for the UK, Global Blue report that month on month growth in tax free sales by Brazilian tourists over the summer was neck and neck with Chinese shoppers. The last 12 months have been a crucial turning point for Brazil with a 92.06% increase in tax-free sales and in the rolling 12 months to August this year the average transaction size in UK stores from Brazilian shoppers leapt by 116.7% to £403 per transaction.

Luxury department store Harrods has observed considerable growth in sales from Brazilian shoppers choosing to return home not only with fashion and accessories but also seeking to acquire the latest cutting-edge technology. Over the summer months, Harrods witnessed an unprecedented uplift in sales from these customers who looked to buy items that could be easily transported home such as cameras and laptops from established brands including Sony, Nikon and Lenovo.

Richard Brown, VP UK of Global Blue, which manages in excess of 38,000 shopper transactions each day across 40 markets, said, “Having witnessed the steady arrival of Brazilian shoppers to the UK over the past few years, we have noticed a definite increase over the summer months with a peak month on month increase of 128% in August. Brazilians are fashion and status conscious shoppers, who seize any opportunity to acquire the latest products from Autumn/Winter collections to cutting edge technology. Such are laden with status due to the perceived kudos of buying these products abroad, coupled by the incentive of saving up to 30%.”

Harrods spokesperson said: "In recent times one of the most prominent trends we have observed has been the significant growth of the Brazilian market. Brazilian customers constitute an increasing proportion of Harrods sales growth and the Electronics and Photographic departments are experiencing strong sale from these customers. To ensure our Brazilian clientele enjoy the optimum shopping experience we offer a number of key incentives including tax free shopping, Harrods Reward scheme, Portugese-speaking staff, worldwide shipping and later summer opening hours.”

Richard Brown, Vice President of Global Blue UK gave insights into current Brazilian spending patterns:
•   Over six millions Brazilians travel abroad each year
•   The average Brazilian shopper is 25-40 years of age with a flux of younger visitors visiting Britain at present
•   Brazilians are drawn by the affordable variety of the UK high street with luxury brands up to 30% off prices at home
•   School holidays in Brazil take place from July to September encouraging shopping trips to Europe and the UK
•   The rise of the middle class in Brazil has meant that spend on the whole is increasing both in luxury and on the high street
•   Frenzied shopping is the norm when they head abroad as Brazilians face some of the world’s highest prices at home


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For further information and interviews with Richard Brown – please contact:

Fiona McKenzie or Katie Blake at Rain Communications

Fiona McKenzie – 0207 828 0118 or fiona.mckenzie@raincommunications.com
Katie Blake – 0207 828 0118 or katie.blake@raincommunications.com

Notes to editors

Keeping the Brazilian shopper: Global Blue insights
•   Brazilians like to meet people who speak their language, so providing this service is definitely an asset
•   Brazilians expect a high quality of service and prefer a friendly treatment
•   The inverted American “OK” sign is considered an obscene gesture by Brazilians
•   Wiping your hands together means “it doesn’t matter”
•   They are expressive and passionate conversationalists, so be prepared to listen

Jace Tyrrell, of New West End Company, which represents 600 retailers on Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street, said: “Brazil is one of the ‘ones to watch’ for London’s West End – a key growth market, who spend around £400 per transaction. Brazilian shoppers are overwhelmingly young and looking for on-trend, fast fashion – an offer which has been buoyed recently by the opening of Forever 21 on Oxford Street and the imminent opening of SuperDry on Regent Street and a second Primark at the East end of Oxford Street. With these new stores set to prove a real draw for Brazilian shoppers, we can only expect numbers of shoppers to increase.”

Mary Homer, Managing Director, Topshop said: "In advance our 2012 Brazilian launch I'm thrilled to identify an increased amount of visitors from the country to our London stores. Our Oxford Circus flagship has long been a tourist destination for fashion lovers the world over offering the best of the Topshop brand. It doesn't surprise me to find a kindred spirit with the Brazilian fashion fan who's flair and brave, irreverent approach to fashion resonates very strongly with the Topshop aesthetic and approach to styling."

Simon Fowler, Managing Director John Lewis Oxford Street said: "International shoppers, including those from Brazil are increasingly seeking out UK retail brands that are popular with local British shoppers. As this trend of 'shopping where the locals shop' grows, with its Royal Warrant to the Queen and nearly 150 years of history as a landmark London retailer, John Lewis Oxford Street really stands out. With over 350,000 product ranges found in store, the most popular areas amongst international shoppers, including those from Brazil, are technology, skincare, branded fashion and fashion accessories, such as handbags.”  

Colin Wilding, UK Country Manager, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, which has seven outlets in the UK said: “We have seen a notable uplift in Brazilian tourists coming to our UK outlets over the past year, for instance in June we saw a 40% increase in the volume of sales in store compared to the previous year. We know that our offer of premium and luxury fashion from a mix of over 2000 brands draw these trend-conscious consumers in as they opt to buy into brands they love at reduced prices.”

Martine Ainsworth-Wells from London & Partners, the official promotional agency for London said: “London has recently seen a significant increase in visitors from Brazil with 2010 results revealing visits had grown year on year by a third. In addition, visitor spend in 2010 had also increased by approximately 10%, great news for the capital’s many attractions, shops and hotels. These positive figures could be attributed to increased airlift as well as improved business and tourism opportunities in London for the Brazilian market. As the capital looks forward to the exciting year ahead with major events such as the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Diamond Jubilee, we anticipate even more interest from the Brazilian market. ”


About Global Blue
Global Blue is a financial services company that makes retail transactions between merchants and their foreign customers, easier and more rewarding for everyone. Having introduced the concept of Tax Free Shopping thirty years ago, Global Blue now offers a wide range of services that help consumers shop and spend wisely when they are in foreign countries, and merchants and banks increase their revenues from the lucrative traveller market.

Global Blue works with over 270,000 of the world’s favourite retailers, shopping brands and hotels in over 40 countries and serves in excess of 38,000 travellers each and every day. The company’s ambition is to become the beacon for international shopping and spending across the globe.

Global Blue’s headquarters are in Nyon, close to Geneva, Switzerland. More information about Global Blue is available at www.global-blue.com