GUEST EDIT: LONDON SHOPPING SCENE: EXCITING!

London Bridge is not falling down! I walked across it. And who said the food in London is mediocre? Certainly not me! From endless pubs serving traditional fare to chic new restaurants boasting international cuisine, you can’t go wrong. The English most definitely love their sweets. Pastry shops line the streets with enticing window displays, begging you to come in.

What a fabulous city! I hadn’t been to London in at least 20 years and was amazed by its size, architecture, and beautiful parks. The lush greenery and beautiful, old buildings make it a wonderful city to explore. Each neighborhood has its own distinctive flair. I recommend starting with Chelsea, Belgravia, Bloomsbury, Knightsbridge, Notting Hill, Spitalfields, and Kensington. Bigger than New York City with over 9 million people, London is a diverse and energetic international metropolis, with a booming retail scene.

Needless to say, Harrods and Selfridges are phenomenal department stores, brimming with wonderful merchandise. Many of the finest labels in retail have a strong presence in London. Especially exciting are the independent stores that dot neighborhoods throughout the city. Interspersed with cafés, restaurants, and gourmet food markets, shopping in London is an experience.

Of course, I did some DLS business while there. I met with one of our best vendors, 40 Colori, at their great retail store in Bloomsbury. In addition to their wholesale collection, they offer great custom items for your stores, crafted in Como, Italy.

I was pleased to meet with a great new outerwear vendor: London Tradition. At dinner with the product manager, we discussed creating a special product for DLS. I spoke with Wear – London, U.K. We met in NYC and selected beautiful sportswear and outerwear.

[metaslider id=221334]

For those interested in using public transportation while visiting London, I must give a shout-out to its subway system. New Yorkers, weary of our outdated subway system will enjoy taking the “tube”. Unlike in New York, we found two or three individuals at every station entrance to help guide you on your trip. And believe it or not, you can actually understand the announcements on the trains, unlike the garbled sounds that come out of NYC subway speakers.

So plan your trip to London soon! Clean streets, friendly people, great food, lots of history and site seeing. Plus I guarantee you’ll come back with endless innovative merchandising ideas!