What: Knightsbridge, home to Harrods and Harvey Nichols, is expected to surpass pre-pandemic footfall numbers during the upcoming festive season.

Why it is important: The forecasted increase in footfall and total spend during the festive season in Knightsbridge signifies a recovery for the luxury retail sector and the return of high-spending international shoppers.

The Knightsbridge Partnership, a business improvement body representing firms in the area, reports that footfall from January to October has been rising by an average of 27.7% each month compared to the same period in 2022. They anticipate a 2.8% increase in footfall in November and a 3.3% increase in December, compared to the same months last year, and a significant increase of 20% and 55%, respectively, compared to the last two months of 2019.

The CEO of the Knightsbridge Partnership attributes the increase in footfall to the return of high-spending international shoppers, supported by a weaker pound. He also emphasizes the need to reintroduce tax-free shopping to further attract tourists to the neighbourhood.

Knightsbridge festive footfall to top pre-pandemic numbers for first time