London shopping: an insider guide (2023)

FAQs

Which part of London is best for shopping? ›

Oxford Street is considered the centre of London's shopping world. Holding well over 300 shops, 4 underground stations, as well as flagship stores for numerous companies, Oxford Street is not only the busiest shopping location in London it's the largest shopping district in existence.

Oxford Street: Probably the most famous shopping street in London.

Home to some of the top-notch brands, high-end designer stores, and unique boutiques, calling shopping in London cheap would be certainly wrong. While the best and most chic items come with expensive price tags, there are also a lot of London street markets like Camden where one can buy things at good bargains.

According to research from Deloitte, many luxury goods now cost less in dollar terms in Britain than in any other country. According to the research, the Speedy 30 Louis Vuitton handbag is $802 in London, compared with $850 in Paris, $970 in New York and $1,115 in China.

Mayfair is the best area to stay in London for first time visitors to the city because of its proximity to Hyde Park, Green Park, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. The architecture and tiny side streets also make Mayfair one of the most instagrammable spots in London.

Is Burberry cheaper in London? As Burberry is a British brand, it's cheaper to buy direct from Burberry stores in the UK than in the US or other countries where import and sales taxes are added.

Typically, people tip around 10-15% in London, except for when using taxis or public transport, where a smaller tip is frequently accepted. Tour guides do not need to be tipped, but this is up to the customer to decide. Some restaurants add an automatic tip to your bill.

Rising house prices, high rents and low salaries are to blame, according to Michael Edwards, a University College London lecturer and expert on the relationship between property markets and planning. He said those factors prevent young people from getting on the London property ladder.

What is the best time for shopping in London? ›

Best Time for Shopping: All the best sales in London, including Harrods's ultra-popular summer sale, happen in late June and early July. Shops are busiest and generate most of their revenue during December – expect much in the way of festive atmosphere during this month, but not many bargains.

British fashion brands like Burberry, French bits from Dior, and Italian brandnames like Balenciaga or Gucci. And all of that, for much cheaper.

It is substantially cheaper to buy luxury products from brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, or Gucci in Paris, their prices being on average between 30% and 40% cheaper in France than in other countries, especially those outside the European Union.

Zara, Europe's biggest clothing retailer, has some of the biggest percentage price differentials between the UK and the rest of Europe. A British shopper pays £49.99 for a linen blend tunic dress at one of Zara's stores in the UK, equal to €58.70 at current exchange rates.

“The trend in luxury pricing in the UK is being driven mainly by the depression in sterling – thus making the same item more affordable in the UK market than any other major luxury market. People don't like paying more for the same product,” Nick Pope, the head of fashion and luxury at Deloitte, told the BBC.

Depending on the price of the bag, you can save from 20% to 40% if you buy an LV bag in Europe. Please be aware that the EU has the same pricing policy, so the price is exactly the same in France, Spain or Italy.

As a French brand, Louis Vuitton is cheaper in Paris than it is in the US or UK. The combination of lower prices in euro, as well as the VAT refund system, means you will get a better deal in Paris.

What is the poshest neighborhood in London? ›

What Are the Traditionally Posh Areas in London? Knightsbridge, the City of Westminster, and Chelsea are traditionally posh areas of London.

For first time visitors, we recommend spending at least four or five days in London, which will give you enough time to get a feel for the city and see many of its main sites. With so much to do and see in London, we've come up with some bucket-list suggestions on how you can make the most of your time in London!

The most affordable time to visit London will almost always be the winter months of January and February, as the holiday season is over and there's not a whole lot going on. Hotels in London are almost always busy, so there usually isn't a season in which you can expect much better prices on your hotel room.

Mayfair, South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Belgravia, Chelsea – all these are largely safe to walk around any time of day. Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia are also very safe, but standard precautions apply at night. Covent Garden is generally fine but things can get lively late on weekend nights.

Are Chanel Handbags Cheaper in Europe? Yes. The European region is a heavenly place for luxury shopping. The initial cost of Chanel bags may be the same as in the States, yet you don't pay any additional sales tax and get a VAT refund (if you are a non-EU shopper!).

With the UK being seen as the cheapest country to buy Gucci, closely followed by its neighbours on the continent of Europe, it is only fair that these bargain prices are available no matter where you live.

London is just an interesting fragrance. It is spicy, woodsy, dark, and kind of boozy. London is the most masculine of the three while Brit is the softest. London won't be for everybody and plenty of guys will enjoy the rose, tonka, and ginger notes of Brit; but I'm going to give the edge to London.

It's good to carry some cash for smaller purchases or to use for tips. You'll easily find ATMs at banks, stores and gas stations — but try to only use your debit card. You'll pay steep fees getting a cash advance from your credit cards.

Tipping is not expected in Britain the way it is in some other countries. Workers don't officially have to rely on their tips to live and all staff in the UK must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage. Employers are also banned from topping up wages with tips from customers.

Tipping is always appreciated in London, and is an expectation in most restaurants (unless service is already included) and for porters in high-end hotels. While tipping isn't quite as ingrained as it is in the US, it's certainly an expectation in many parts of the capital.

Is 2022 a good time to buy in London? ›

The Land Registry's UK House Price Index indicated that there was a 12.8% average increase in house prices year-on-year in May 2022, while property purchases fell by 55% in June 2022 compared to last year, according to HMRC.

The market will remain strong, but house price growth will slow and may revert to pre-pandemic levels. Buyer Demand. In December, the Bank of England raised interest rates for the first time in more than three years. This is likely to quell buyer demand, which in turn will help to stabilise prices.

My forecast is that the London property market will accelerate in price growth in 2022 and 2023 versus the regions. London is London, after all and offers not just a reassuring financial return for property buyers but is also a destination like no other in cultural, commercial and financial terms.

No matter what time of year you are visiting, if you are planning what to wear in London there are a few key items which are great all year round. Always make sure you have a crossover bag, sunglasses, a small umbrella, comfortable shoes, a jacket, jeans and layers and you can't go far wrong.

Note that every major designer brand, except Louis Vuitton, has sales, so you can try to negotiate with them all.

The study concluded that 64 percent of luxury products are now cheapest in the UK. Balenciaga's Foulard fringe dress will set you back the equivalent of $1,312, compared to $1,560 in Paris, $1,665 in China and $1,765 in the United States.

Fortunately, both brands have stores in Paris, France – and yes, Chanel and Louis Vuitton bags are much cheaper there than they are in the US. That's because of the VAT (Value Added Tax) refund that you can get when you shop in Paris.

As an American, your best option is to purchase a Dior handbag in the United Kingdom as you will be paying hundreds of dollars less than purchasing in your home country (after receiving your tax-refund, of course).

How much are Louis Vuitton bags in Paris? ›

On average, the cost of one week in London is £1,850 ($2,500) per person, including flights. However, if you're already in Europe and only need a European flight, then this average cost is reduced down to around £1,500 ($2,000).

South London parks cover 34% of the region's boroughs. The north is a little bit less green. North London parks and other green areas cover 29% of the northern boroughs. If you love getting outdoors, sunbathing, running, jogging or just relaxing, choose south London for a more tranquil lifestyle.

As a rule it's cheaper to live in East London than west, great news when you're on a budget. There's more great news, this time if you love to get out and about after dark. East London has a better nightclub scene, with a wider choice of places to paint the town red. It also makes for a cheaper night out.

Wander along Oxford Street – one of the most famous London shopping streets – which is home to more than 300 shops, designer outlets, high-street chains and landmark stores.

What Are the Traditionally Posh Areas in London? Knightsbridge, the City of Westminster, and Chelsea are traditionally posh areas of London.

The boroughs with the highest proportions of individuals living in poverty (measured as those living in households where the income is below 60% of the median after housing costs), were seen in Tower Hamlets (39%), Bent, Newham, and Westminster (all 36%).

Is East London rougher than south London? ›

A new survey of Londoners reveals a tale of four cities: The West is posh, the East is poor, the South is rough and the North is intellectual. 1,294 Londoners were shown a list of adjectives and asked which four they most associate with each area of London - East, West, North and South.

The best time to visit London is from April to June and September to October when the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds. However, keep in mind that prices for hotels and flights are generally higher during these months.