Britain is one of the most popular shopping destinations in Europe, where you can find products in premium quality, multi-cultural integration with competitive prices.

From a beloved souvenir you want to buy to the world famous luxury goods (such as Aquascutum, Burberry, LV, CK, Dunhill, Salvatore Ferragamo, DKNY, MaxMara, Paul Smith, Polo Ralph Lauren, Versace), or reasonably priced and high quality British designed products (Such as The Body Shop skin care, Clarks shoes shop, TMLEWIN shirt shop, Wedgewood porcelain shop), you will have a great harvest in your shopping tour in London.

Trust is the core value of British business mechanism. Tourists can have a safe and assured shopping experience in the UK. With the falling value of British Sterling, it is the right time to shop in the UK for high value goods.

CBN Travel & MICE will come up with a handy guide to your best shopping in Britain, introducing all aspects of shopping in the UK and customize your shopping trip.

Sales in the UK

Summer sales (July and August) and winter sales (before Christmas to the end of January) are two sales seasons and the greatest time to shop in the UK. There are normally dramatic discount on all products; you can find half-price deals on brand-name goods and even 80% off on clothing. There are also other discount time in spring (April) and autumn (October).

Tax refund

When shopping in the UK, the amount of money you paid normally includes 17.5% additional value-added tax (VAT). Nearly all types of cosmetics, clothing and shoes have VAT. However, Chinese tourists can sometimes get VAT refunds on goods bought here when you departure from the UK. Tourists can get a VAT 407 form from the retailer and show this together with shopping receipts to customs as airport when you leave the UK.

Shopping areas

1. Shopping streets
The heart of London shopping, bustling Oxford Street has more than 300 shops, designer outlets and landmark stores. Regent Street is an impressively elegant shopping street, which offers a good range of mid-priced fashion stores alongside some of the city's oldest and most famous shops. Nearby, historic Jermyn Street is renowned for men's clothing shops and is particularly well known for its bespoke shirt makers. If you love luxury window shopping, Bond Street and Mayfair are the ideal places to go for some extravagant retail therapy.

2. Department stores
There are a number of department stores in London, such us Harrods, Selfridges, Marks and Spencers, Harvey Nichols. Most of the department stores open until 8:00 pm (Sunday to 6:00 pm). Tourists can fully enjoy shopping in these places.

3. Outlet Shopping Villages
UK has a large number of outlet shopping villages across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Some of the famous outlets are:

• Bicester Village: Bicester Village is approximately one hour from both London and Birmingham, England's two largest cities, and is easily accessible from the M40. It has become one of the United Kingdom's most visited tourist destinations.
• Clarkes Village: Located in the village of Street, Clarks Village Outlet is a luxury outlet mall that is home to a number of stores that offer clothes by world- famous brands.
• Livingston Designer Outlet: At Livingston Designer Outlet, Scotland's largest designer outlet, there are over 100 famous brands, all with up to 60% off. The 'Livingston Cathedral Mall' is the brainchild of architect Don Hisaka, with its opulent glass roof inspired by London's Crystal Palace.
• McArthur Glen: McArthur Glen has 7 outlets in the UK. There are so many opportunities for the style-conscious traveller to enjoy a great day of shopping for their favourite designer brands with the prices reduced by up to 70% all year round, with coffee shops and restaurants where you can relax, chat and compare the designer gems you've discovered.　

Itinerary (for reference)

Time	City	Itinerary	Notes
Day1	China-London	Your guide and coach will be ready for you when you arrive at London Heathrow Airport. We will take you for dinner first and help you to check in the hotel.	Rest.
Day2	London	Having breakfast in the hotel, then we will go to Oxford street and Bond street for shopping by coach. Return to hotel for rest after shopping.	Shopping.
Day3	London-Bath	Having breakfast in the hotel, we will then go to a beautiful and historical town called Bath. We will visit Roman Bath Museum there and then go to Clarkes Village for shopping.	Sightseeing Shopping.
Day4	Bath-Oxford	Having breakfast in the hotel, then we will leave for Oxford. After visiting Oxford, we will go to Bicester Village for shopping.	Sightseeing Shopping.
Day5	Oxford-Stratford-upon-Avon-Manchester	Having breakfast in the hotel, we will drive to the hometown of Shakespeare to experience the great town of the great British author. We will then leave for Manchester and spend our night in Manchester.	Sightseeing.
Day6	Manchester-Lake District-Edinburgh	After having breakfast in the hotel, we will leave for the national park Lake district to visit the most famous Windermere Lake. Then we will drive to Edinburgh and shopping at Livingston Designer Outlet.	Sightseeing Shopping.
Day7	Edinburgh-York	Having breakfast at hotel, we will be on our way to York, which has been named as the "History Museum". McArthur Glen Designer Outlets will be our next shopping destination.	Sightseeing Shopping.
Day8	York-Cambridge-London	We are going to visit Cambridge after having breakfast in hotel. To walk on the Cambridge bridge that is 700 years old.	Sightseeing Shopping.
Day9	London-China	Our last visiting will be the Windsor Castle, then we will drive directly to the airport.	Sightseeing.
Day10	Home	You will arrive at sweet home.