There may be no baby in history able to bring in $380 million dollars to the local economy just by being born. In fact, the baby isn't born yet, but he/she is already worth a fortune!
The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton is still due to give birth on July 13 to the royal baby and the heir to the throne after Prince Charles and Prince William, but it seems like the public are all ecstatic about her baby. As early as now, private retailers and businesses have created their own versions of royal-baby merchandise, souvenirs, and baby products to mark the birth of the royal heir. According to a report by the Center for Retail Research in Nottingham, this trend could send merchandising sales to a whopping 240 million pounds ($380 million) in the coming weeks and months boosting private business owners and the British economy.
The report also noted that an estimated 25 million pounds will be spent on food alone for festivities and parties that may run for weeks celebrating the royal baby's birth. Some 37 million pounds is likely to be spent by people overseas on baby souvenir items, books, DVDs and toys. This is how much anticipation there is for the royal heir.
The Royal Family is making their own contribution with great excitement for the baby's arrival. At the palace gift shops are clothing pieces on sale, like a sleepwear patterned after a guardsman's uniform, baby booties, and other "royalty" baby items. Proud grandfather-to-be Prince Charles is creating handmade baby shoes on sale, while Kate's parents are promoting baby food items in their own business. Sales profits will go to the Royal Collection Trust that supports the royal palace's maintenance.
Similar to the "Kate effect" that had the world following after every clothing item she wore, the royal baby is expected to make some unintentional brand endorsements with the clothes, carriage, crib, toys, and other baby items he/she will use. Expect these brand manufacturers to enjoy a hike in sales overnight.
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