The Chic Outlet Shopping

　　The Chic Outlet Shopping Villages Latest Tax Refunded Sales Results Show That Southeast Asians Are Spending More Than Their Chinese Counterparts

　　Value Retail’s Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages has recorded an impressive 78% increase in its South East Asia (SEA) Tax Refunded Sales, achieved in Q1 2010 compared to 2009. Visitors from SEA have surpassed their Chinese counterparts in terms of spending as China recorded a 70% growth in the same time period.

　　Southeast Asia also reported a 7% (€260) increase in Average Spend in Q1 2010, compared to the same quarter last year.

　　On the whole, the Collection has recorded a double digit growth, with 58% increase in Tax Refunded Sales achieved in Q1 2010 compared to 2009, and an 11% increase in growth versus Q4 2009.

　　The growth in Tax Refunded Sales across all Villages grew faster than their respective city benchmarks (as defined by Global Blue) with each Village achieving an individual growth of over 20%. Collectively, the Villages recorded an average spend per tax refunded transaction of €293 whilst the USA ranks as the highest spending market with an average spend of €322 per transaction, an increase of 6% compared to Q4 2009.

　　Chic Outlet Shopping® continues to define standards in shopping tourism, with the aim of building long term, multilayered partnerships with the Travel Industry (Tour Operators, Travel Agents, MICE Operators, National Tourism Boards and Airlines) to help support their business. As a Collection the Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages have a unique “shopping tourism” product, combining cross promotion opportunities, added value for partners and their clients, marketing support actions and exposure through B2C marketing activities, and Fam Trips for Travel Industry professionals.

　　In a time where luxury is defined through consumer experience, the Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages stand apart from any other European outlet experience allowing shoppers to experience famous international and niche European brands at prices reduced by up to 60% every day, all year round, in addition to the tax free savings (up to 15%) available to non-EU residents.

　　Located in regions recognised as important tourist destinations, multilingual personal shoppers, seasonal valet parking, dedicated Tourism Information centres, a wide choice of regional cafes and restaurants and secure children’s play areas are just some of the features that make up the five star standards of service on offer. The Collection hosts over 870 luxury outlet boutiques featuring international and niche European, designer fashion and luxury lifestyle brands such as Armani, Alexander McQueen, Belstaff, Gucci, Givenchy, Celine, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, DKNY, Marni, Moncler, Polo Ralph Lauren, Jimmy Choo, Burberry, Versace, Tod’s, Vivienne Westwood, Roberto Cavalli, Paul Smith, Dior, Joop!, Loro Piana and Valentino

　　“The Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages continue to be a firm favorite for international travellers in Europe and 2010 has already proved to be a positive start in a challenging global environment.”

　　Pier Francesco Nervini, VP International Key Accounts, Global Blue

　　As a continued evolution of service, Chic Outlet Shopping® is delighted to announce the launch of the first commissionable product for the Travel Industry which provides key partners with the ideal add on to European travel itineraries for group and FIT travellers. The luxury Shopping Express shuttle service will operate from key city centres in partnership with some of the leading excursion/coach operators across Europe including Cityrama (France), Madrid Shopping Tour (Madrid), and JJ Kavanagh (Ireland) transporting customers to each of the nine Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages. Tickets can be booked online. Approved Travel Industry partners have the opportunity to benefit from net rates (up to 25% off with the exception of La Vallee Village which is capped at 10%) on ticket sales. The online booking platform is available in 11 languages (English, French, Spanish, Catalan, Italian, Flemish, German, Japanese, Russian, Arabic & Simplified Chinese), bookings can be made up to 48 hours prior to departure with the flexibility to amend or cancel a booking up to 48 hours prior to departure.