In Q 3 2010, the tax refunded sales for each of the nine luxury brand Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages have grown faster than their respective city benchmarks (as defined by Global Blue) and, for the second successive quarter, all Villages have achieved growth in excess of 50% in tax refunded sales compared to the same period in 2009.
Across the Collection, tax refunded sales generated by non-EU customers have been dominated by two contributing markets year to date: China showing an increase of 95% and the Middle East with an increase of 55%, each respective market representing one quarter of the total of tax refunded sales achieved. The fastest growing market continues to be Russia, however, which at +98% has almost doubled the figures recorded in 2009.
The average spend per tax refunded transaction achieved in Q3 was €287, an increase of 10% compared to the same period in 2009, with the highest spend per tax refunded transaction year to date attributed to visitors from the USA who spent an average of €318, an increase of 8% versus 2009.
Pier Francesco Nervini, as spokesman for Global Blue commented: “With a remarkable 74% increase in tax refunded sales in Q3, compared to Q3 2009, it stands clear that Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages operated by Value Retail are very worthy of their fine reputation. This Collection of stylish outlets is becoming increasingly significant within Europe, as destinations for the sophisticated international traveller.”
Strong Q3 results are an indication of Value Retail’s commitment to developing strategic partnerships with the travel industry through Chic Outlet Shopping®, the brand that promotes the nine Villages internationally. Industry partnerships include; Tour Parade and Chaika operating in Russia, Al Rais Travel and Etihad Airways Holidays operating within the GCC, Sino America Tours, ASA and CTC Holidays in Singapore and Holiday Tours & Travel, Mayflower Acme Tours and Golden Tourworld Travel operating across Malaysia, and Jalpak and Tabi Kobo in Japan.
Today, the essence of true luxury is defined by the consumer’s experience, and the Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages stand apart from any other European outlet offer, allowing shoppers to experience some 900 famous international and niche European boutiques at prices reduced by up to 60% off the recommended retail price, every day, all year round, in addition to the tax free savings (up to 15%) available to non-EU residents. Coveted names that attract international customers include Bally, Belstaff, Bimba & Lola, Calvin Klein, Desigual, Diane von Furstenberg, Marlies Dekkers, Missoni, Mulberry, Nicole Farhi, Tumi, Pringle of Scotland and Vivienne Westwood with some 50 brands currently selecting the Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages as home to their only outlet boutique worldwide: Loewe, Smythson, Agent Provocateur, Anya Hindmarch, Matthew Williamson, MCM, and Temperley London, to name some.
Hospitality is a key consideration for the Villages with a selection of restaurants and cafés serving local cuisine, including Barlumeria at Fidenza Village which serves regional favourites Prosciutto di Parma ham and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. At Maasmechelen Village customers can enjoy traditional Belgian beer at the cycling themed Brasserie Musette, whilst in Barcelona no visit would be complete without sampling the typical Catalan fare offered at La Fonda at La Roca Village. In addition to the great brands and gourmet experience, the Villages offer a five-star service which includes dedicated Tourism Information Centres, multilingual personal shoppers and valet parking, not to mention the family-friendly details such as secure children’s play areas and pushchairs available on loan for the duration of the customers’ time in the Village.
Serving the international audience, ChicOutletShopping.com is available in 11 languages (English, French, Spanish, Catalan, Italian, Flemish, German, Japanese, Russian, Arabic and Simplified Chinese). ChicOutletShopping.com hosts the booking platform for the Shopping Express shuttle service, delivering customers to the Villages through a high-quality, consistent service with plans to extend the service to all nine Villages in 2011. The online booking service is now available for immediate booking, confirmation and payment with the added flexibility of amending or cancelling a booking up to 48 hours prior to departure. After operating for six months, the average occupancy of the Shopping Express service now stands at 75%.
Value Retail’s Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages continue to make a distinct imprint on the European retail landscape. Tax refunded sales have increased 81% year-on-year through Q3 2010, with 20 consecutive quarters of double-digit growth since 2006. Tax refunded sales currently represent approximately 9% of total sales – figures that serve to endorse the Villages’ appeal to a wide international audience.
SOURCE: NewswireToday
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