(MENAFN Press) Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Monday, December 17th 2012
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.
