Low prices entice Brits on pre-Christmas shopping sprees
UK shoppers are flocking to the U.S. for pre-Christmas breaks.
UK-based tour operator Virgin Holidays is reporting a surge of interest in Christmas shopping breaks to popular cities such as New York and Boston.
Research in Britain produced jointly by the Post Office and Virgin Holidays reveals that U.S. stores have pegged their prices at 2012 levels to undercut London.
It claims Brits can cut 40-50% off some of their Christmas gifts if they shop in the U.S. rather than the UK.
The Post Office has produced a shopping guide showing the best bargains are on jeans and U.S. designer label clothes in New York and Boston compared to London.
Electronic gadgets also cost less, with most priced at 18-26% below London levels.
However while most of the items researched were cheaper in the U.S., British brands such as Ted Baker and Burberry are 38% more than in London.
Also, while some fragrance, make-up and skincare brands like Benefit, Clinique and Elizabeth Arden are cheaper Stateside, French brands like Guerlain and Clarins are as much as 28% more in the States.
Commenting on the high demand for U.S. city breaks, Virgin Holidays head of product and commercial Angus Bond said: "Virgin Holidays is seeing an increase in enquiries from customers seeking great deals on money-saving shopping trips in New York or Boston."
Report by TravelMole UK
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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