Royal baby to bump British economy by £240m

The royal baby due in July can bump the UK economy by £240m, a study has revealed.

The Centre of Retail Research has found that royal merchandise will boost consumer spending, much like the royal wedding in 2011.

The Royal Collection Trust website has stocked up souvenirs including guardsman sleepsuits for babies and princess t-shirts for girls for £12.95 each. There are also princess cushions for £45 and plastic dolls for £5.95.

Joshua Bamfield, director of the Centre for Retail Research (CRR), said, “This is a good news story and there really is no downside. With the birth coming in July, people will have time to get involved, and that means additional spending”.

“There has been a lot of interest across the Atlantic as well, as the younger royals are very well thought of in the US, so we are expecting good sales of souvenirs.”