Other than purchases from bargain outlets, your best buys are things made in Britain that would cost more abroad. These include Body Shop and Filofax products along with woolens and cashmere items.
Shopping In London
London is one of the world's great shopping cities. From the swank excitement of Harrods to the cosmopolitan colour of Portobello Road street market, the whole city seems like one huge emporium. Here we'll take a look at the famous West End.
The West End was long the traditional heart of London shopping and still attracts bargain hunters from all over the world. Renowned Oxford Street has revamped its facade over recent decades. The big old faithfuls such as Marks and Spencers are still there but much of the area has been taken over by ethnic specialty stores.However, if it's tradition you're after, nearby Regent and Bond streets still retain their exclusive upmarket air.
One great 'new' place in the West End to pick up threads is the famous Carnaby Street now rising from the ashes. Once the colourful haunt of 60s models, actors, musicians and fashion photographers, the area is now attracting a new wave of designers.
Shopping In Birmingham
For another great UK shopping experience, head up the M1 to Birmingham. Brum, as the UK's second largest city is affectionately known, is home to over 700 retail stores, including the queen of them all, Selfridges.
Other notable outlets include the Mailbox complex at Wharfside Street. Once Birmingham's mail sorting hub, it's now a huge shopping center and home to all the grand department stores including Harvey Nichols. You can also find all your favorite labels here including Armani, Hugo Boss and Jaeger.
Another city-center parvenu is The Bullring. It's Europe's biggest city-center retail zone and offers a more down to earth shopping experience that the Mailbox with offerings from H M, Gap, FCUK, and Footlocker.
Shopping In Edinburgh
North of the border, Scotland's capital city offers a medley of boutiques, souvenir shops, and department stores including old steadfast John Lewis. Harvey Nichols, darling of the Absolutely Fabulous crowd, has also arrived in "Auld Reekie" in recent years.
New Town's Princes Street is Edinburgh's principal shopping thoroughfare and home to the leading department stores. For more exclusive outlets, such as Laura Ashley, George Street is the place to go.
For tourists in search of tartan, Highland trinkets, kilts or sporrans, the Old Town's Royal Mile is the mother lode.
The United Kingdom has embraced the return of the 'long hours culture'. Over 3 million people have begun working over a 48 hour week. The number of people working long hours increased at a faster rate over the last year than the decline in excessive working between 1998 and 2006. The recent increase in working hours could be the result of the challenging economic climate, which has made employers more reluctant to recruit new staff, leading to existing employees having to work harder.
After slow but steady progress over the last decade, long working hours are making their way back into Britain's workplaces. Employees across the UK already work the longest hours in Western Europe with the least amount of public holidays. The recent increase will mean lower productivity, more stress and less time to have a life outside the office with friends and family.
This is supported by a recent survey commissioned by Beefeater Restaurants, which reveals that 70.6% of Britons don't feel they have a positive work/life balance. Work-life balance is achieved when an individual's right to a fulfilled life inside and outside paid work is accepted and respected as the norm, to the mutual benefit of the individual, business and society. The survey, carried out by NEMS Market Research, shows that, as a nation, Britons don't feel they spend enough time with their families and friends. The results reveal that, even in a culture which claims to prioritise a healthy work/life balance, British companies are falling short in their efforts.
A third (33.1%) of full-time workers surveyed didn't feel they spent enough time with their family and friends and cited a busy job and work pressure (83.8%) as the main obstacle. When questioned on the impact this had on their lives, more than a third of full-time workers (34.6%) felt that life was passing them by without enjoyment.
Working long hours also comes with a health warning. There is sufficient evidence for us to be concerned about the potentially negative effects of working long hours on physical health. The strongest evidence probably concerns the links with cardiovascular disorder.
Stress is often the outcome of a work/life imbalance. According to a survey conducted by the National Life Insurance Co., four out of ten employees state that their jobs are 'very' or 'extremely' stressful. It is clear that problems caused by stress have become a major concern to both employers and employees.
Symptoms of stress are manifested both physiologically and psychologically. Persistent stress can result in cardiovascular disease, sexual health problems, a weaker immune system and frequent headaches, stiff muscles, or backache. It can also result in poor coping skills, irritability, jumpiness, insecurity, exhaustion, and difficulty concentrating. Stress may also perpetuate or lead to binge eating, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
A survey conducted by Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank found that 44 per cent of workers in the United Kingdom take off fewer days of holiday than they are entitled to. Furthermore, 77 per cent admitted to keeping in touch with work, via email for example, while they are on holiday trying to relax.
One way of improving employees work/life balance is to ensure that they are able to use all of their holiday allocation effectively throughout the year. If employees were to take holidays throughout the year then it is suggested that employers would reap the benefits of increased productivity, improved recruitment and retention, lower rates of absenteeism, plus a more motivated, satisfied and equitable workforce.
Both Alistair White & Patrick Omari are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Alistair White has sinced written about articles on various topics from Argentina Travel, Touring Italy and Recreation and Sports. Alistair White has been in the travel industry for over 20 years and is the founder and CEO of Cheaper Than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers cheap. Alistair White's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.
Patrick Omari has sinced written about articles on various topics from Celebrities, Hotels and Hostels and Science. Patrick is an expert Research and Travel consultant. His current interest is in ,. Patrick Omari's top article generates over 823000 views. to your Favourites.