London (CNN) - Shopping is a serious business in London
whatever the season -- but it doesn't get much more serious
than this time of year.
The UK capital's January sales sees throngs of dedicated
shopaholics cram its countless department stores, quirky
boutiques and market stalls, keen to get their hands on the
latest fashion trends and product offers.
But it's not just domestic spend that's keeping the tills ringing
in London. While the vibrant city's high-end stores are no
strangers to overseas visitors, with those from the Middle East
typically spending the most, a surprising new contender has
emerged in recent times as a big spender in the international
market -- Nigeria.
"Africa is growing from strength to strength and particularly in
the last 12 to 18 months we've seen Nigeria come through
incredibly strongly," explains Sue West, director of operations
at up-market London department store Selfridges.
"It is a very broad base so we still very much have a strong
Chinese base, a strong Middle East base, Russia is there, the
BRICs nations as you imagine, but Nigeria seems to be coming
through very strongly at the moment as well," she adds.
Read: Web savvy Africans fuel growth in online shopping
The former British colony is Africa's most populous nation as
well as the continent's top oil producer. According to African
Economic Outlook (AEO), Nigeria's economic growth has
averaged about 7.4% annually over the past decade, creating
a wealthier Nigerian elite with a large spending power. At the
same time, however, AEO says that robust economic growth
has not reduced poverty in the country, with about two thirds
of its population living on less than $1 per day.
Home to a large African diaspora, the UK is a popular travel
destination for Nigerians visiting friends and relatives, going
on holidays or conducting business.
Daily flights between Nigeria and the UK have increased in
recent years, with airlines such as British Airways allowing
Nigerian customers an additional 23kg of baggage free of
charge.

www.cnn.com/business

^^ I hate this story.
I enjoy shopping alright, but I feel so bad about how we are killing our economy and improving the economy of others

Well, I am not being paid to think for Nigeria -Jonathan and his policy makers are.
Till it's my job, I'll have to continue spending Nigerian currency abroad and impressing Nigerian babes

Sheit!!.
*heads out to the international airport with suitcases*