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Move over Paris: why London is France’s new fashion capital

So you think this season’s trends are only to be found on Paris' Rue de Rivoli or rue Saint-Honoré? Not any longer: Marks & Spencer is flying the flag as the home of British fashion in France, with their new Look of London collection.

Published: 19 April 2013 15:38 CEST
Move over Paris: why London is France's new fashion capital
Marks & Spencer
That London is one of the world’s most fashion-conscious cities is hardly news. The capital that was ‘swinging’ in the 60s has always retained its reputation as a centre of style, with best-selling brands that seamlessly combine an original mix of British heritage and cosmopolitan influence. 
 
There’s always plenty to see in London, from the sights and sounds of the diverse neighbourhoods to the street style that creates a catwalk around every corner. So imagine taking a tour of the city and shopping the London looks without even the need to travel. 
 
Now this is possible as Marks & Spencer, founded in the UK over 125 years ago, brings the best of London style direct to customers in France at www.marksandspencer.fr
 
In its Look of London collection, Marks & Spencer takes inspiration from a pick of well-known London hotspots. It includes everything needed to achieve a complete hip vintage look, a relaxing weekend away or a chic evening out on the town – wherever you are. 
 
The working week – Trafalgar Square
From soft tailoring and chic pencil skirts for her, to sharp suits for him, find your perfect weekday wardrobe to get back to business in style.
We love this Cotton Rich Concealed Fastening Shirt.

Day to night – Covent Garden 
Sleek separates are perfect for the busy city lifestyle, giving you a versatile look to take you from day to night.
We love this Animal Print Mac with Belt.

Afternoon with friends – Notting Hill 
Be inspired by London street style with on-trend day dresses in graphic prints that will see you through lunch, shopping and cocktails.
We love this Striped & Colour Block Maxi Dress.

Shopping trip – Spitalfields
Find your perfect look for shopping in one of the fashion capitals of the world – think laid-back casuals in the season’s key shades, completed with must-have accessories.
We love this Bohemian Cover-Up Top.

The weekend – Soho
When you want to escape the buzz of the city, make it a stylish getaway with these flattering and easy-to-wear designs.
We love this Pure Cotton Pintuck Tunic Dress.

 
Article sponsored by Marks & Spencer.

SHOPPING

‘Harryhandel’: Is the return of cross-border shopping in Norway really a good thing? 

The pandemic cut-off Norway from its neighbours, putting a temporary end to border shopping. Now ‘harryhandel’ trips are allowed again businesses in the country fear they will lose out as shoppers look abroad for cheaper groceries. 

Published: 18 November 2021 15:39 CET
Pictured is Norway and Sweden's border on the old Svinesund bridge.
Will the return of border shopping have a negative affect on the country? Pictured is Norway and Sweden's border on the old Svinesund bridge. Photo by Petter Bernsten/AFP.

In eastern Norway, particularly along the border with Sweden, cross-border shopping has long been common for residents looking for cheaper groceries and a better selection of products. 

Norway’s Covid-19 rules effectively put a stop to that until this summer. The closed border meant a record year for food and beverage sales in Norway. 

“Due to the fact that there was little action and that people did not travel, we noticed that our sales increased greatly during the entire period,” Øyvind Berg, production manager at Norwegian dairy firm Synnøve Finden, explained to public broadcaster NRK.

Now producers and supermarkets fear the impact of cross-border shopping being up and running again. 

“Our challenge is that we see that more than half of the food and beverage producers, i.e. the industrial companies, fear that they will lose market share because cross-border trade will return in full,” Petter Brubakk, director of food and beverage at the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO), informed NRK. 

The majority of those who go shopping across borders in Norway will do so in Sweden. However, in the north, some will also venture into Finland or Russia.

Further south people will also travel to Germany or Denmark. 

Why do people go to other countries for shopping? 

Overall the main appeal of cross-border shopping is that its much better for consumers than shopping domestically. 

Norway’s EEA agreement with the EU means that most foods, drinks, tobacco products, alcohol and other agricultural products are more expensive than they are within the EU as custom duties are required to import them into Norwegian supermarkets. 

Not just that, but there is a much wider selection of products than in Norway due to laws that protect Norwegian products. For example, cheeses such as Cheddar are more readily available, cheaper and generally of better quality in other countries than those found in Norway. 

READ MORE: What is ‘harryhandel’, and why do Norwegians love it so much?

Is border shopping a bad thing for Norway?

Norwegian businesses argue that crossing the border to shop affects the whole value chain, negatively impacting everyone from Norwegian farms and producers to supermarket employees, not just companies profit margins. 

“My advice is to encourage Norwegians to buy Norwegian food, and help secure Norwegian jobs throughout the value chain,” food and agriculture minister Sandra Borch told NRK. 

In addition, shopping domestically means more tax revenue for the Norwegian system to use to fund its generous welfare state. 

While shopping domestically protects domestic jobs, shopping abroad protects jobs there, which rely on people hopping the border to get their groceries. 

Coronavirus pandemic restrictions left a black hole in some of these economies reliant on shoppers from the Norwegian side of the border. For example, in Strömstad, a Swedish town close to the border where many travel to shop, unemployment rose by around 75 percent after Norway closed its borders with Sweden. 

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