Heathrow Airport has said that the trappings of a traditional British Christmas will be enjoyed across the world this festive season.
Britain’s biggest transport interchange is expecting a record year for sales of popular UK products, including English tea, Scottish salmon and single malt whisky. During November and December, international visitors departing from Heathrow purchase more than 918 tonnes of British products to bring a touch of Great British style to their festivities.
According to Dana Jaber, a personal shopper at Heathrow, the type of items passengers are looking for have changed significantly in the last five years. While English tea sold at Heathrow is popular with Chinese passengers, Turkish and Japanese passengers are the key buyers of Scottish Malt Whisky, and Middle Eastern passengers are the biggest customers for sealed Scottish salmon. The most popular British brands include Mulberry and Jo Malone.
Dana Jaber said: ‘More than 5.8 million travellers will pass through Heathrow this Christmas, searching for a little piece of Britain to take home. Thanks to the Royal Wedding, the Olympics and more recently the birth of Prince George, the desirability of British brands has never been higher. Visitors are keen to take home a little piece of the UK for their own Christmas celebrations.
‘The Asian market – including mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore – like the romance and heritage of a traditional British Christmas, and tend to go for items that allow them to recreate British traditions at home,’ she added.
Heathrow’s Personal Shopping service is open to all passengers and no minimum spend is required. Home delivery is available to those travelling within the UK or the EU, and is free when passengers spend £300 or more at Heathrow and use a Heathrow Rewards card. For passengers without a Heathrow Rewards card the service is free, subject to a minimum purchase of £500.00.
Busy travellers can also choose and order from a wide range of products available at the airport by using the free online service, Heathrow Boutique, to reserve and collect items. The web address iswww.heathrow.com/boutique.
