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Between onesies with "born to rule" embroidered on them to very small, very British shoes, royal baby-themed merch is putting UK retailers in a great position to make a buck. Analysts are predicting that the birth of the heir, who is due in July, is going to kick up the economy by 240 million pounds (about $380 million at current exchange).
Among all the stuff people are expected to buy as listed by Joshua Bamfield, director of the Centre for Retail Research (CRR), there's commemorative china, toys, books, DVDs, media, and shoes sold by Prince Charles at his Highgroves estate. Also, booze: Bamfield estimates that 4.8 million people will splash out $97 million on alcohol to get drunk for the future of England and about $40 million on food. That's one expensive birthday party. Balls in your court America/Kardashians.
· Royal Baby to give almost $400 million bump to British economy [Reuters]
· This Kate Middleton Picture Will Have to Tide You Over for Awhile [Racked]