Europe is the preferred destination for international elite shoppers. France is the most popular, followed by the UK and Italy, reveals a study by Global Blue. For the elite, international shopping is heavily weighted towards the high-end, with almost 75 per cent of their spend being made in the luxury or hard luxury categories. Around 25 per cent of the total spend is made in the lifestyle, premium and affordable luxury categories. The top ten per cent of elite shoppers are responsible for 36 per cent of the total elite tax free spend. International elite shoppers come primarily come from five key regions/countries, Greater China, Southeast Asia the Gulf states, the US and Russia.

International elite shoppers – or the top 0.5 per cent of tax free spenders – account for 17 per cent of global tax free retail income. These shoppers travel on an average about three times a year, over approximately 15 days. While Europe accounts for a higher footfall, the country which receives the highest spend per individual elite shopper is Singapore. The UK is Europe’s highest benefactor, with department stores attracting a large share of the total spend. Singapore’s status as the country that attracts the highest spend from elite shoppers is fuelled by luxury watches and jewelry purchasing.