Elon's Vision
  • Contacts
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • News
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
  • Investing
  • Stock
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
  • Investing
  • Stock
No Result
View All Result
Elon's Vision
No Result
View All Result
Home Investing

British Shoppers flock to EU for tax-free spending as calls grow to reinstate UK scheme

by
August 9, 2025
in Investing
0
British Shoppers flock to EU for tax-free spending as calls grow to reinstate UK scheme
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

British consumers are increasingly turning to tax-free shopping trips in Europe, with spending in the EU up 16% so far this year compared to 2024, according to new data from the Association of International Retail (AIR).

The figures highlight how UK shoppers are taking advantage of the EU’s VAT rebate scheme for tourists, introduced for British visitors in 2021 after Brexit. Last year, Britons spent £742 million on tax-free shopping in the EU – up from £527 million in 2022 – with analysts saying the savings outweigh the cost of Eurostar tickets or budget flights.

AIR chairman Derrick Hardman said the trend shows “a new market in shopping-led tourism has emerged”, adding: “It’s sad to see British shoppers taking their business elsewhere.”

The data will intensify calls for Labour to reinstate the UK’s own VAT-free shopping scheme for overseas visitors, scrapped in 2021 by the previous government. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has indicated the policy could be reconsidered.

Campaigners argue the decision costs the UK around two million international visitors a year and deters spending in British stores, particularly on luxury brands. Burberry and Harrods are among the companies warning that the policy disadvantages domestic producers, as shoppers are more likely to buy home-grown goods in countries offering rebates.

Hardman said: “It makes no sense for the UK to remain the only destination in Europe not offering tax-free shopping. Thanks to our position outside the EU, we now have a unique chance to reverse the policy and become the world’s shopping capital – offering tax rebates for both EU and non-EU shoppers.”

AIR estimates that reinstating VAT rebates for EU visitors alone could add £3.65 billion to the UK economy annually, generating more than £500 million in additional VAT revenue for the Treasury.

Sir Rocco Forte, chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels, said the policy shift has changed travel patterns: “Foreign visitors who used to stay in the UK and leave laden with parcels are increasingly cutting trips short and spending more time in Europe, where they can still shop tax-free.”

A Treasury spokesman said the UK remains one of the most visited countries in the world, with a new National Visitor Economy Strategy due this autumn aimed at attracting 50 million international visitors annually by 2030.

Read more:
British Shoppers flock to EU for tax-free spending as calls grow to reinstate UK scheme

Previous Post

Reform UK urges energy industry to abandon net zero and focus on nuclear and gas

Next Post

Employment minister warns ‘job deserts’ and long-term sickness are holding back Britain

Next Post
Employment minister warns ‘job deserts’ and long-term sickness are holding back Britain

Employment minister warns ‘job deserts’ and long-term sickness are holding back Britain

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get the daily email that makes reading the news actually enjoyable. Stay informed and entertained, for free.
Your information is secure and your privacy is protected. By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Remember that you can opt-out any time, we hate spam too!
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest

Jay Bhattacharya on Public Health

October 12, 2021

That Bangladesh Mask Study!

December 1, 2021

Antitrust Regulation Assumes Bureaucrats Know the “Correct” Amount of Competition

November 24, 2021
Pints of champagne could be the next ‘Brexit dividend’

Pints of champagne could be the next ‘Brexit dividend’

December 24, 2021
Employment minister warns ‘job deserts’ and long-term sickness are holding back Britain

Employment minister warns ‘job deserts’ and long-term sickness are holding back Britain

0

0

0

0
Employment minister warns ‘job deserts’ and long-term sickness are holding back Britain

Employment minister warns ‘job deserts’ and long-term sickness are holding back Britain

August 9, 2025
British Shoppers flock to EU for tax-free spending as calls grow to reinstate UK scheme

British Shoppers flock to EU for tax-free spending as calls grow to reinstate UK scheme

August 9, 2025
Reform UK urges energy industry to abandon net zero and focus on nuclear and gas

Reform UK urges energy industry to abandon net zero and focus on nuclear and gas

August 9, 2025
Jeremy Clarkson warns of ‘catastrophic’ UK harvest as farmers battle extreme weather and rising costs

Jeremy Clarkson warns of ‘catastrophic’ UK harvest as farmers battle extreme weather and rising costs

August 9, 2025

Recent News

Employment minister warns ‘job deserts’ and long-term sickness are holding back Britain

Employment minister warns ‘job deserts’ and long-term sickness are holding back Britain

August 9, 2025
British Shoppers flock to EU for tax-free spending as calls grow to reinstate UK scheme

British Shoppers flock to EU for tax-free spending as calls grow to reinstate UK scheme

August 9, 2025
Reform UK urges energy industry to abandon net zero and focus on nuclear and gas

Reform UK urges energy industry to abandon net zero and focus on nuclear and gas

August 9, 2025
Jeremy Clarkson warns of ‘catastrophic’ UK harvest as farmers battle extreme weather and rising costs

Jeremy Clarkson warns of ‘catastrophic’ UK harvest as farmers battle extreme weather and rising costs

August 9, 2025

Disclaimer: ElonsVision.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively "The Company") do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

  • Contacts
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Copyright © 2025 ElonsVision. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
  • Investing
  • Stock

Copyright © 2025 ElonsVision. All Rights Reserved.