​Hot on the heels of its debut in Islington, Monsoon on Wednesday opened a store in London’s Waterloo Station.

​One of London’s highest-end and oldest luxury shopping destinations — Burlington Arcade in Mayfair — has announced that Vilebrequin and Lalique have taken on second boutiques within the Arcade.

Six months after opening his second Monarch restaurant, Humberto Leon, the founder of Opening Ceremony and former creative director of Kenzo, has opened Arroz & Fun, in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood. 

​Hot on the heels of Strandbags relaunching its upscale luggage brand Antler, the company is also investing in another key luggage brand it owns, with the launch of Nere in the UK and US after its 2022 ANZ debut.

Lifestyle fashion and home retailer Joe Browns continues its physical store rollout opening a store in Bowness-on-Windemere “putting the affluent lakes area firmly on the fashion map”.

​As consumers globally get the travel bug again, Giorgio Armani Mare is backing its SS23 offer via a series of pop-ups in “the most important cities and destinations in Europe and Asia”. 

​News last week that Chanel’s sales rose in double digits in 2022 was followed by the company saying it would double the size of its global HQ in London’s Mayfair and will move in during 2025.

The Office for National Statistics International Passenger Survey has shown that tourist visitors to the UK are well below 2019 levels with the New West End Co directly blaming the abolition of tax-free tourist shopping.

Louis Vuitton has announced the opening of the Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno, a new culinary concept in partnership with Qatar Duty Free at Hamad International Airport, Doha. 

​The UK government has been asking for evidence that the end of the VAT-three shopping perk for tourists is hurting British retail and payment software specialist Planet came up with some of that again on Friday.

​The result might not have been a good one for the UK’s entrant at last weekend’s Eurovision Song Contest, but Liverpool, which staged the event, enjoy record 2023 footfall and sales at its key shopping mall.

​Burberry’s preliminary results for the year to 1 April saw more growth with its CEO calling it “a strong performance, supported by good progress in core leather goods and outerwear". And revenue accelerated in Q4.

Harrods MD Michael Ward has said it's time for the government "to wake up and smell the coffee” after a minister said retail needs to provide evidence for its claims about the benefits of VAT-free tourist shopping.

​It may not come as a surprise, but research seems to have confirmed that the highest value e-shoppers are the most sustainability-focused in a world of consumers who are generally prioritising eco-awareness more often.

Expect a wave of pent-up consumer spending to significantly boost the British economy this year. It’s heading to the UK from China and it’s called ‘Revenge Spending’ with shoppers backed by £760 billion in savings. 

Antler, the upscale British luggage brand, is relaunching itself following a turbulent few years and a bounce-back that sees it aiming to “re-establish itself as ‘THE British Travel Brand’.