Retailers cashing in on Royal Wedding fever

It is estimated that souvenirs combined with tourism will boost Britain’s economy by £620 million.

So as Britain’s oldest ‘colony’, will the Royal Wedding also benefit Bermuda?

The struggling retail sector could certainly use the lift but only a few stores are taking advantage of the historic occasion to boost sales.

Those doing so have reported a brisk trade, with daily inquiries by tourists and locals alike.

At The Irish Linen Shop, a William and Kate tea towel has proved particularly popular.

Exciting

Elaine Murray, owner and director, has sold more than 200, retailing for $12.

She said: “The tea towels were made exclusively for us by Irish Looms of Ulster.

“As soon as William and Kate were engaged we called the company up and made the order.

“We had a feeling we needed to do something to commemorate the Royal Wedding because it is such a positive thing.

“Any young couple getting married is exciting.

“It’s infectious, you’re happy for them.

 “Lots of locals and visitors are buying the tea towels. It’s mainly women but it is right across the board, whether black Bermudians or expats.

“Women over 30 in particular seem to have got very caught up with the idea of the Royal Wedding. We are also selling a lot of tea towels to visitors, many of whom love the idea of Bermuda being a British territory.”

Ms Murray said one American visitor bought several tea towels to make into a skirt for a theme party she is attending in New York.

“Her husband is also going to wear one as a tie,” she added.

Surprisingly, Marks & Spencer on Reid Street — a bastion of British goods — does not have commemorative products on sale.

Manager Paul Dean said: “We’re not as such selling anything commemorating the Royal Wedding.

“Marks & Spencer did not make an international range for the Royal Wedding, unfortunately.

“But we are seeing a lot of people buying tea and biscuits. We’ve seen an increase in that over the last 10 days so maybe people are doing their own thing.

“There is a bit of a buzz about the Royal Wedding.”

AS Cooper & Sons appears to be the only department store cashing in on the wedding.

At the Gift Shop in Hamilton, buyer Alison Corday said Wedgwood commemorative mugs and plates were “flying out” of the store.

The first order last month sold out and only one mug remained of the second order yesterday.

Miss Corday, brand manager, said: “Every time we get them in they sell out within a day or two. We are waiting for another delivery at the moment but can’t keep them in stock.

“At least once a day we get someone coming in saying, ‘Do you have any Will and Kate?’ It’s both tourists and locals.”

Even beauty salons are recognizing that wedding fever sells.

At Headway Hair & Body salon in Washington Mall, Hamilton, advertisements are offering customers a 20 per cent discount on the Karin Herzog Oxygen facial “used by the Royal bride”.

Adverts state that you will ‘feel like royalty with the facial that Kate Middleton uses”.

Michelle Plimmer, beauty therapist, said: “We’ve had a good response to it.

“It’s women of all ages, from mid-20s to late-50s.

“It’s an excellent product from Switzerland that has really taken off in England.

“Kate Middleton has been using it before the wedding so we thought this was a good way to promote it.”

Over at Cecile boutique on Front Street, a ‘cool Britannia’ window display is celebrating the forthcoming nuptials, with Union Jacks picturing William and Kate among the mannequins.

The store launched a range by UK designer Ted Baker on April 14 but created the displays to coincide with the Royal Wedding.

“The wedding is a piece of history,” said Tara Burgess, assistant buyer.

“We also have the actual suit as worn by Kate Middleton.”

In the window is the red Luisa Spagnoli wool suit jacket as worn by Prince William’s fiancée at her first official walkabout in St. Andrews, Scotland.

The matching black dress differs in colour to the red worn by Miss Middleton but is the same cut and style.

Cecile is one of the only stores outside of Italy to feature Italian designer Spagnoli’s couture.

Miss Burgess said: “Miss Middleton has been wearing a lot of Luisa Spagnoli’s pieces.

“She’s become quite a favourite designer for her but her designs are only usually available in Italy.”

Cecile is also selling a gold plated Mimi di N belt buckle featuring the Royal crest for $75.

Miss Burgess said: “We brought in four of them and sold out three within a day. We only have one left but can order more in. People do seem to be getting into the Royal theme.”