Foreign shoppers spend 'four times more' than locals

International tourists were among the thousands hitting the high streets for today's Boxing Day sales, with retail experts saying foreign nationals spend on average four times more than domestic shoppers.

While shoppers from Qatar spend the most per transaction - on average £1714, tax-free shopping company Global Blue said Chinese shoppers were more likely to return to the tills with more goods at an average of £1,367 a pop.

Sue West, retail director at Selfridges, said the Boxing Day sales are very important for its international customers.

"The Chinese market is hugely important to Selfridges. It's one of the fastest growing international markets that we have," she said.

Chinese couple Wang Tianyi, 21, and Sun Yeting, also 21, were queueing outside Selfridges on Oxford Street in Central London from 4am and planned to head straight for the luxury items.

"We will buy the things we like," Mr Tianyi said.