UK stores try to get Chinese lovers in the mood

London's luxury department store Westfield got on the front foot to woo high-spending Chinese shoppers with a promotional activity ahead of the Chinese festival of romance on Thursday.

For the first time, Westfield is offering Chinese guests a VIP pass which gives them a discount of up to 25 percent in more than 80 shops and restaurants.

"It is done very much to engage the local Chinese community, and we are hoping the response we get from this year's promotional activity will make it viable for it to be a part of our annual calendar," said Myf Ryan, Westfield's UK marketing manager.