Shopping is a serious business in London whatever the season
购物是在英国伦敦一年四季都相当盈利的行业
but it doesn't get much more serious than this time of year.
但是,一年当中现在的盈利情况最好。
The UK's capital January sales sees throngs of dedicated shopaholics cram its countless department stores,
英国第一个月迎来了庞大而狂热的购物人群,他们涌入无数的百货大楼,
quirky boutiques and market stalls, keen to get their hands on the latest fashion trends and product offers.
各种稀奇古怪的精品店以及市场摊位,急切地入手最新时尚产品。
But it's not just domestic spending that's keeping the tills ringing in London.
但是支撑起伦敦这一繁荣景象的并非只有国民消费。
While the vibrant city's high-end stores are no strangers to overseas visitors,
尽管这座城市中高端品牌商店不乏有国外顾客光顾,
with those from the Middle East typically spending the most,
尤其是来自中东国家的顾客,他们通常是这里最大的消费者,
a surprising new contender has emerged in recent times as a big spender in the international market -- Nigeria.
但是一股新的抗衡力量在这个国际市场上的消费大军中开始凸显出来——他们来自尼日利亚。
Nigeria's economic growth has averaged about 7.4% annually over the past decade,
在过去的十年中,尼日利亚的年平均经济增长值达7.4%。
creating a wealthier Nigerian elite with a large spending power.
这使得其上流社会具有了更强的购买能力。
At the same time, however, robust economic growth has not reduced poverty in the country,
然而,与此同时,强劲的经济增长并未降低该国的贫困率,
with about two thirds of its population living on less than 1 dollar per day.
该国三分之二人口的日生活费不超过1美元。