July 11th Caroline Rush “The data is clear. Research by the Association of International Retail shows that in addition to the £10 billion in tourism spend, the return of VAT-free shopping would help contribute to the wider economy — to the tune around £4 billion in GDP annually.” [Full article]
CEO Paul Barnes’ letter to The Times on tax-free shopping
Paul Barnes The decision to end tax-free shopping was based on incomplete and inaccurate Treasury forecasts in 2020 that were never certified by the Office for Budget Responsibility and have now been proven wrong by all the data since international travel returned in 2022. [Full letter]
[The Times] The Times view on tax-free shopping: Vuitton, Versace and VAT
July 9th 2024 “If Rachel Reeves is looking for ways to boost growth, there is an easy one to hand: remove the tax on goods bought by foreigners that the government imposed when Britain left the European Union.” [Full article]
[The Times] Restore tourist tax break to boost retail, demands fashion body
Isabella Fish The scrapping of VAT-free shopping for tourists is having a “significant impact” on British retail and hospitality, an influential trade body has warned. [Full article]
AIR’s response to the 2024 GE results
Association of International Retail stands ready to work with the new Government and Parliament. The international visitor economy is the 3rd largest export sector in the UK. Our global leading shopping offers and experience continues to draw international visitors to our high streets and city centres, and, particularly, stimulate spending. The sector contributes £80bn to the UK economy, supporting 1.5 … Read More
[The Times] Ending duty-free is a luxury Britain’s craft workers can’t afford
Jim Armitage From Bremont to Mulberry, skilled staff in the UK’s high-end workshops are feeling the pinch as tourists rein in their spending on the high street. [Full article]
[The Times] In Paris with the savvy shoppers spurning Briain over duty-free
Dominic Hauschild The post-Brexit policy has put tourists off shopping in the UK. The traffic is all the other way as France makes it easy to claim back tax [Full Artticle]
[The Times] The duty-free rules deterring tourists — and Sir Paul Smith’s call for change
Jim Armitage May 11th From Mayfair to the Oxfordshire fashion mecca of Bicester Village, tourists have to pay VAT at 20 per cent. Many shop in European cities instead [Full article]
[The Times] Britain shunned in favour of VAT-free shopping abroad, says Superdry founder
Isabella Fish May 2nd Julian Dunkerton says not reinstating the UK’s tax relief scheme is a “self-inflicted wound” [Full article]
[The Times] The Times view on tax-free shopping for tourists: Hey Big Spender
May 1st Britain is losing out to France and Italy after abolishing VAT-free luxury shopping [Full article]