Kate sparks high street sales boom to help boost UK economy

London, April 22 (ANI): It's estimated that Kate Middleton has boosted the UK economy by 1 billion pounds since she married Prince William a year ago.

It is calculated that women are spending an average of 250 pounds each a year to look like her.

And retail experts Mintel called this figure "conservative", with analyst Alexandra Richmond saying: "Kate's look has something to appeal to everyone," the Daily Star reported.

Dedicated bloggers keep a watchful eye on her wardrobe and everything she wears sells out in hours.

The Duchess of Cambridge is a champion of the high street, boosting brands like Zara, Warehouse (where she bought her honeymoon gear) and Reiss.

Visitor numbers at Anglesey have increased by 9 percent in the past six months alone.

This beautiful island off the northwest coast of Wales was off the radar for many people before the royal couple arrived there two years ago.

But the lure of spotting Kate shopping in Waitrose or catching a glimpse of Wills putting the bins out has proved a real boon for tourism on Anglesey.

The couple moved into their large, isolated farmhouse on the island in May 2010, when William was first stationed at its RAF Valley base as a search and rescue pilot.

Senior tourism and marketing officer Michael Thomas said: "There's been a real buzz on the Isle of Anglesey since Prince William's arrival at RAF Valley.

"The fact the royal couple now also live here has meant the world media spotlight has been on us, which has been fantastic news for the local tourism industry," he stated.

Figures from George at ASDA show that after Kate was snapped in those cropped coral jeans playing hockey, sales of a similar pair stocked by the brand went up 88 percent in a few hours.

Shoppers cleared the entire stock overnight and sales of coloured denim in general rocketed by 471 percent.

"George customers love Kate. We expect the Kate phenomenon to continue as she has now established herself in the nation as the ultimate British style icon," a brand spokesman said.

One of Kate's favourite brands, mid-price shop Reiss, has also been a big winner since Kate wore one of its white shift dresses for her engagement photos.

Its profit margin doubled, going from 4.3million pounds to 8.5million pounds in 2011.

Even eBay reported that the Missoni coat Kate was recently spotted in sparked a four-fold increase in online sales of similar styled coats.

And nude tights, which Kate often favours with her ladylike frocks and mid-height heels, have had a boost too. TightsPlease has reported a 90 percent increase in sales.

Kate's classic looks have made her a huge hit with women, who are copying her glossy tresses in their droves.

KH Hair, a chain of salons across the Midlands, reported that at the height of royal wedding fever they saw demand for blow-drying up 25 percent as customers asked for Kate's signature tousled style.

And when it was revealed she was a big fan of Manuka Doctor bee venom masks, six months' worth of stock sold out within three weeks - despite the 49.99 pounds price tag.

Sales of hockey gear also shot up after Kate, a former schoolgirl team captain, was snapped with a stick on her visit to the Olympic Park in Stratford to meet the Team GB hopefuls.

Littlewoods.com said sales of hockey sticks increased by a massive 238 percent, while shin guards were up by 114 percent and even hockey bag sales soared by a staggering 89 percent.

Since the couple adopted the cocker spaniel in February, fans have been after Lupos of their own.

The Kennel Club revealed searches for similar animals on its "Find a Puppy" service were up almost 50 percent. (ANI)