| The UK's newest Prince might be less than a week old but he is already proving to be a trendsetter as aspiring parents race to keep up with the Cambridges. Sales of Britax Baby Safe seats have trebled at Kiddicare superstores since the newborn set off in one on his first car journey after leaving St Mary's Hospital on Tuesday. And there has been a surge in orders of the £45 hand-finished merino wool shawl made by GH Hurt and Son in Nottingham that Prince George of Cambridge was wrapped in for his first photo shoot. Alex Fisher, commercial director at Kiddicare, said: "I think it's fabulous news in terms of parents engaging with the fact there is a Royal baby. "I think it will encourage people to renew and buy new products. "Parents look at what is the latest product, who is the latest celebrity, and I think on the back of that the seat by default becomes aspirational." There was so much interest in the dress worn by the Duchess of Cambridge that the designer's website crashed earlier in the week. But it later emerged that the Jenny Packham design was a one-off and not for sale. The Centre for Retail Research predicts the new arrival will end up boosting the UK economy by close to £250 million. That includes everything from the champagne sipped to help celebrate the baby's safe arrival to commemorative mugs. And Richard Cope, director of trends at market researchers Mintel, believes spending inspired by the young Prince will be sustained by visitors to the UK. "Tourist numbers are up by about 10% compared with a year ago. They're going to be here throughout the summer and they buy into the concept of the Royal Family. "The tourist factor is going to drag out spending for months and months." But it is not just retailers enjoying the Royal feelgood factor. William and Kate's chosen charities are already benefiting, including East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), of which the Duchess is patron. Melanie Chew, fundraising director of EACH, said: "The donations are coming in from the UK, but overseas as well. "We have had all kinds of generous offers from an ornate handmade cradle from Poland, we've had children's bedroom furniture from Slovenia and we have a charm bracelet on its way, so it's been terrific." |
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