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These are officially the worlds best cities for luxury shopping


These are officially the worlds best cities for luxury shopping

It’s no longer all about London, New York, Paris and Milan. Now, the world’s biggest luxury brands are focusing their attention on Asia

Image credit: Roderick Eime (Flickr)
Retail property developers are making shoppers in Asia a priority. Image credit: Roderick Eime (Flickr)

Asian metropolises are now top of the list for high-end retailers around the world.

Of the 50 cities on Jones Lang LaSalle’s latest Global Cross Border Luxury Retailer Attractiveness Index, eight cities in Asia made up the top 10.

Names such as Taipei and Osaka were interspersed with enduring ones like London and Paris.

Apparently, more and more consumers in Asia have incomes to burn. “The dominance of Asian cities in the index highlights the attractiveness of the region to retailers, thanks to its burgeoning middle classes and growing levels of affluence,” James Assersohn, JLL’s director of retail for Asia Pacific, said.

Here are the Asian cities where shoppers tend to throw down some serious plastic:

Hong Kong

Second only to London and above Paris as the world’s most exclusive shopping city, HK is a “springboard” for expansion opportunities by luxury retailers in mainland China, according to JLL. Giorgio Armani’s sports brand EA7 opened in Causeway Bay this month, while Lululemon and Agent Provocateur made their debuts last year.

Tokyo

Tokyo has outclassed New York City in luxury consumption — the report noted that it has the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, for instance. JLL also observed that a highly devalued yen has lured many tourists from mainland China to the city, where you can now find the biggest Saint Laurent store on earth.

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Shanghai

At sixth place is Shanghai, another “favourite place” for foreign retailers to test Chinese consumers. Next year, Shanghai will have the world’s first Starbucks Roastery and Reserve Tasting Room, a 30,000 sq ft “interactive retail” location that promises a “Willy Wonka experience.”

Singapore

Luxury watch makers Patek Philippe re-launched here last month with its biggest Southeast Asian branch, a testament to the city’s stature among shopaholics. A 3,700 sq ft Valentino boutique also opened at Marina Bay Sands in January.

Image credit: Sergio S.C (Flickr)
Patek Philippe’s biggest South East Asian branch is now in Singapore. Image credit: Sergio S.C (Flickr)

Dubai

Tied with Singapore at number 7 is the lone entry from Southwest Asia. Dubai boasts one of the world’s highest levels of retail floor space per capita, according to JLL.

Beijing

Beijing is still mainland China’s Imperial City in terms of retail sales, based on JLL’s report. The world’s first high-end store dedicated to The Simpsons cartoon empire recently opened here.

Osaka

Japan lodged another city on the list, Osaka, with its “large affluent consumer base.” The country’s first freestanding Burberry store opened here last year.

Taipei

Rounding out the top 10 with Osaka is the Taiwanese capital, which offers unique underground malls as well as swanky locations like The Breeze Centre, BellaVita, and the Taipei 101 Mall. JLL noted Taipei’s “healthy retail sales growth” and rising tourism numbers, which could only increase with government plans to ease visa restrictions.

More: Luxury luggage set that’s more expensive than a car? You got it

Top 10 Global Cross Border Luxury Retailer Attractiveness Index 2016:

1 London
2 Hong Kong
3 Paris
4 Tokyo
5 New York
6 Shanghai
7= Singapore
7=Dubai
9 Beijing
10=Osaka
10=Taipei

Read next: Yep, this city is still the most expensive metropolis in the world

Source: Property Report