Mayor of London welcomes “innovative” international retailers to the West End

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan met with some of the world’s most exciting international retail brands as part of London’s efforts to attract “innovative” retailers to the capital.

The brands are visiting London on a trade mission to explore investment and expansion opportunities in the UK capital and met The Mayor at the West End’s new immersive media and culture district, Outernet London.

The group of 16 retail and consumer brands that joined the trade mission are eyeing London as a potential destination to open a new store or retail experience. The companies have been selected based on the West End’s plans to introduce an exciting wave of retail concepts and experiences as it looks to recover from the pandemic.

Brands joining the trade mission include Fable, a sustainable tableware company from Canada; Project Chaiwala, a tea company from the United Arab Emirates; and Naze Naze, a homeware brand from China that is owned by Chinese luxury fashion house ZucZug.

The businesses have been invited as part of a three-day programme hosted by London & Partners, the business growth and destination agency for London. The programme includes a tour, networking sessions, panel discussions, and workshops to help the brands recognise the business expansion opportunities in London.

According to a recent report from The New West End Company, the West End continues to “bounce back strongly following the pandemic”, with year-to-date sales in the district increasing by 109 per cent in comparison to 2021. Spend in 2022 is also outperforming footfall year to date, and sales remain on track to exceed £10bn by 2024.

With the recent launch of the Elizabeth Line, a new railway network that will bring an extra 1.5 million people to Central London, the West End will see an additional spend in the area with up to £800m sales into the district by 2031.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “The West End is a historic and hugely important part of our city, welcoming thousands of visitors every day and home to some of the best shops, restaurants, and theatres in the world.

“Helping the West End to bounce back from the pandemic is a crucial part of the wider London recovery, so it was great to meet today with this group of new and innovative retail brands as they explore investment opportunities to us help us build a better, more prosperous London for everyone.”

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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