Alipay claim that France, Italy and the United Kingdom are the main Golden Week destinations in Europe 

15-10-23

Figures from Alipay this week showed that France ranked first among European destinations for Chinese shoppers in terms of transaction value during the Golden Week shopping festival earlier this month. Next was Italy, and the UK may still be reeling from the end of VAT-free shopping for tourists, but it managed third place.

Admittedly, being behind France and Italy is further evidence of how the end of VAT-free shopping has driven tourists to cities like Paris and Milan over London. But in the circumstances, being third is a pretty strong showing.