Indian tourists splurge on British goods

The study by financial services firm Global Blue shows there was an 89 per cent hike in the number of luxury goods purchased by Indian visitors in June. The figures show that while Britain reels under recession, job losses and major public sector spending cuts, its retail industry — particularly the luxury end — is being driven by shoppers from India, China and other countries less affected by recession.

Luxury stores such as Harrods in west London and many of the big fashion retailers with shops in the capital’s West End are regularly packed with shoppers and both are classed as prime tourism hot spots in the UK.