London the UK capital always attracts shoppers from all over the
world, from Asia to Africa from Africa to the Americans and indead
Europe sees throngs of dedicated shoppers cram its countless
department stores, boutiques and market stalls, keen to get their
hands on the latest fashion trends and product offers.
But it's not just domestic spend that's keeping the tills ringing in
London. While the vibrant city's high-end stores are no strangers to
overseas visitors, with those from the Middle East typically spending
the most, a surprising new contender has emerged in recent times as a
big spender in the international market -- Nigeria.
According to CNN
Nigeria and indead Africa is growing from strength to strength and
particularly in the last 12 to 18 months london has seen Nigeria come
through incredibly strongly, in shopping.
The situation is best explained by Sue west the director of operations
at one of London department stores.
"It is a very broad base so we still very much have a strong Chinese
base, a strong Middle East base, Russia is there, the BRICs nations as
you imagine, but Nigeria seems to be coming through very strongly at
the moment as well.
The former British colony is Africa's most populous nation as well as
the continent's top oil producer. According to African Economic
Outlook (AEO), Nigeria'seconomic growth has averaged about 7.4%
annually over the past decade, creating a wealthier Nigerian elite
with a large spending power. At the same time, however, AEO says that
robust economic growth has not reduced poverty in the country, with
about two thirds of its population living on less than $1 per day.
Home to a large African diaspora, the UK is a popular travel
destination for Nigerians visiting friends and relatives, going on
holidays or conducting business.
Daily flights between Nigeria and the UK have increased in recent
years, with airlines such as BritishAirways allowing Nigerian
customers an additional 23kg of baggage free of charge.
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