Nigerians Emerge As The Biggest Spender In London Shops

Gone are the days when a shop attendant in London looks down on African shoppers as if they were just mere window shoppers, as recent reports show that Nigeria is ranked #1 spender in highbrow West End stores in London.

According to a report, an average Nigerian spends £1,648 (N430,000), and a store, Debenhams, has started putting up signs and price tags in Hausa language in their stores.

This is how Evening Standard reported the story:

“Nigeria’s oil industry is boosting the pockets of an affluent elite who are increasingly coming to London to spend that cash. In February last year, sales to Nigerians were up 50 per cent in London shops on a year earlier, while overall in 2011 Selfridges says their spending was up by over a quarter and that Nigerians have been among its top 10 overseas shoppers for the past five years.

On their shopping lists: Suits and formalwear but also jewellery, cosmetics and childrenswear.

Labels include Paul Smith, Gucci, Prada, Chanel and Rolex while Vertu phones are a popular purchase. They are happy to buy across the price spectrum: Debenhams has started putting signs up in their main language, Hausa.

Their top time to shop: all year round – a consistent presence in our stores.

Average transaction in the West End: £1,648″

Naija for show!!!