Weak dollar sparks online Christmas shopping bonanza
London's Christmas bargain hunters could save hundreds of pounds by buying from American websites.
A plunge in the dollar has left the pound stronger than at any time in the past 18 months and financial experts say there has never been a better time to shop on the internet.
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A survey carried out by the Daily Mail's sister newspaper the Evening Standard reveals that shoppers can save almost £1,000 by buying a list of 10 'most wanted' items online.
For example, a men's Seiko watch costing £250 in H Samuel in Britain can be bought for $199 (£104) from nextag.com.
Fashionable Ugg boots costing £130 on the high street are available for less than half that price from shoes.com.
Even bigger savings can be made if shoppers are prepared to hop on a plane and spend a couple of days in New York.
However, the cost of the flight and accommodation would probably wipe out most of the gains.
In total, a saving of £1,433 could be made on the whole shopping list if items were bought in America. Even when you factor in a £200 airfare, a £200 night hotel and other costs, a shopper could still save £800.
Richard Dodd, spokesman for the British Retail Consortium, said: "You probably make more of a saving buying online than you would by travelling abroad.
"I am not sure if people should travel to New York solely to go shopping, but if it is combined with a leisure trip then of course it is a good opportunity."
Daragh Maher, senior currency strategist at Calyon, said: "Goods have been a lot cheaper in the US than in the UK for many years but with Sterling looking so good at the moment, a trip to New York would be a wonderful opportunity to save while you spend."
The savings would be eroded somewhat as import tax is payable on certain items - something which slipped Coleen McLoughlin's mind in 2004.
Wayne Rooney's fiance was stopped by Customs officers at Manchester Airport after failing to declare designer clothes and platinum jewellery worth almost £15,000.
She was questioned for three hours and eventually released after paying close to £3,000 in import duty and VAT.
