The spring budget has aimed to give away what it could in a general election year, with measures to put more money in consumers’ pockets. But overall it was underwhelming and VAT-free shopping is still off the agenda.

​Harrods MD Michael Ward remains upbeat about the luxury store’s sales to Chinese customers, with its focus on the most affluent and its connection with them via initiatives such as its new Shanghai club being key.

There’s confirmation that London’s Oxford Street is bouncing back with new stores opening and a reduction in the candy store blight along the UK capital’s famous shopping thoroughfare. 

Retailer optimism about the return of tax-free shopping for tourists to the UK has been rising but may be misplaced as it seems the government sees only the obstacles rather than the benefits.

London’s Covent Garden has revealed a new immersive light installation in partnership with British designer and Floral Street resident Sir Paul Smith.

The impact of UK tax-free shopping's absence on international visitor spending in the last 12 months has been “stark”, according to the New West End Company.

​Naomi Campbell is launching a new travel-focused womenswear collection in a link-up with Boss, including items that are antibacterial, anti-crease and “anti-stress”.

The Bullring & Grand Central mall in Birmingham has continued to attract big-name retailers and increase footfall with strong visitor numbers in January, operator Hammerson has said.

In 2027, one year before the Los Angeles Olympic Games, Beverly Hills will see the opening of the first Aman hotel in Los Angeles. An eagerly-awaited opening, where the luxury and fashion spheres are expected to flock.

Footwear brand Birkenstock has launched an interesting “first-of-its kind” community studio and global brand-owned activation space in East London.

Designs by the late Vivienne Westwood are to take centre stage in an ‘Icons of British Fashion’ exhibition at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, being staged across 23 March-30 June.

Chinese lifestyle retailer Miniso is to open its biggest-ever store in the UK in London’s Camden on 14 February. It will feature its newly-launched budget beauty + self-care line.

Is the so-called UK tourist tax nearing its end game? Strong and persistent pressure by the UK retail industry to reverse the government’s stubborn support of ‘tax’ could well be paying off.

With London Fashion Week celebrating its 40th birthday, the British Fashion Council is going all-out to make next month’s event “ignite the imagination, honouring the breadth of creative talent in London” for consumers.

London’s Burlington Arcade announcing Thursday it’s to celebrate the Chinese New Year appears to be just the tip of the iceberg. According Shaftesbury Capital around 50 of its retail tenants will be also participating.

London’s historic shopping destination Burlington Arcade is tuning in to the trend for providing experiential moments within retail settings. The upscale central London arcade will be celebrating Chinese New Year.