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West End stores are preparing for a record influx of wealthy shoppers from the Middle East this summer because of an early Ramadan.
An estimated 140,000 visitors from the region are expected during a traditional shopping gold rush, when desert temperatures reach their peak.
However, this year is expected to be particularly busy as Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting and prayer, starts early on 21 August. This has the effect of concentrating shopping trips into a much shorter period.
The weakening of the pound and summer sale discounts in the recession are also expected to tempt more Arab shopping tourists into London.
Middle Eastern shoppers spend more per head than any others, with Saudi Arabians parting with an average of £1,678 a trip, more than twice as much as Americans. Up to a third of spending by tourists during August is forecast to be by shoppers from the Middle East.
The New West End Company, which represents traders in Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street, said it expected Middle Eastern spending to be up 11 per cent on last summer.
Stuart Chappell, general manager at the Cumberland Hotel near Marble Arch said: "We find that Middle Eastern guests will often stay for long periods. We employ Arabic-speaking staff, supply tailored menus and also provide Arabic TV, newspapers and offer separate male and female prayer rooms."
