Harrods Looks to Open Sister Store in China

HARRODS, London’s most famous shop, has plans to set up a sister branch to its famous Knightsbridge HQ, in China.

“There are other areas of the world where we could operate profitably,” said Michael Ward, Harrods MD.

“China is the most probable, but we would have to do a lot of work first.”

One reason for the choice of China – Shanghai is reckoned to be top of the list – is that Chinese tourists have already proved their worth to Harrods.

In recent years, they have overtaken American visitors in terms of buying power and now outspend their superpower rivals at the Knightsbridge store by three to one.

Harrods is not the first up market brand to look east for future growth. Burberry will soon have more than 100 outlets in China and Vivienne Westwood is opening 20 boutiques in the land of the rising funds.