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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Rushed out: Aynsley China in Stoke-on-Trent lays out its souvenir offeringsThe engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton has left shop owners rubbing their hands with glee as they hope for a Royal wedding-inspired boom.
At a time of austere spending cuts and country-wide restraint, it is hoped next year's ceremony and all the associated pomp will give the UK economy a much needed shot in the arm.
Retailers have already started to get in on the action in a sales bonanza the like of which has not been seen since the wedding of Prince Charles to Diana in 1981.
Souvenir-makers have already launched into action, mindful that memorabilia of the 1981 Royal nuptials remain highly sought by collectors.
Experts estimate the wedding could boost the struggling British economy by £620million through sales of merchandise and tourism.
Sparkler: Frank Soto at the National Sapphire Company in New York working on a replica engagement ringWithin moments of yesterday's announcement, the web was already being flooded with items featuring the young couple - who are set to wed next year.
Plates and mugs - so similar to those produced to mark the fairytale wedding of William's father to Lady Diana Spencer - have been rushed onto the market.
Somewhat rashly, Woolworths famously started work on a souvenir wedding plate back in 2006, months before Kate and William briefly split.
But now perhaps the shop - which has since folded and only survives as a web-based brand - could dust off the china and sell them after all.
Bonanza: A worker at Royal Crown Derby puts the finishing touches on a Welsh dragon and (right) a T-shirt 
Collector's item: A souvenir mug marking the wedding for sale on the eBay
They already have a lot of competition, with various plates and mugs already on the market on Ebay and other websites to satisfy Royal collectors both home and abroad.
The appetite for memorabilia in America - where the Royal family are viewed with wonder - is also likely to be strong, with the prospect of a new glamorous figure in Kate to attach to.
On Ebay, a raft of items from T-shirts to thimbles and keyrings featuring the pair - and even a copy of today's Daily Mail - are up for sale.
Supermarkets are among those racing to produce ranges of memorabilia to cash in on the euphoria.
They are also hoping for a special bank holiday to mark the day so that sales of party food and champagne will rise.
Asda was one of the fastest to rush out products, with souvenir mugs of the couple and the date of their engagement in store from today.
A spokesman said: 'Kate and Wills are the nation's sweethearts and shoppers have said they would love to buy a piece of history while doing their shop.'
Royal fan Margaret Tyler drinking tea from a William and Kate mug today. She has a William doll behind her
Yours for £35: QVC is advertising an 'Epiphany Platinum Clad Diamonique Ring' in a similar designAynsley China immediately began manufacturing a line of fine bone china pieces after the announcement, with the first due to arrive in stores early in the new year.
Sales director John Wallis said: 'We have had the designs prepared for some time.
We'll be making items to commemorate both the engagement and the wedding. Royal weddings are always very popular with collectors all over the world.'
Royal Crown Derby has been putting the finishing touches to pre-prepared items including been small trays to a hand-painted peacock with flowers relating to the country and special occasions.
The prestigious manufacturer is waiting for a wedding date but some items are ready to be produced without one.
Sales and marketing director Simon Willis said: 'We needed something like this to make people feel they can go out and buy something to mark a special occasion.'
Yesterday, the Natural Sapphire Company in New York immediately started work on a replica of the engagement ring. Phones were said to be ringing off the hook at the jewellery maker.
Retail expert at Verdict, Neil Saunders, said: 'We believe the engagement could be worth between £12 and £18million in merchandise sales alone.
'If, as expected, the wedding is a big set piece event, it could well capture the nation’s imagination and provide a fillip to the retail sector.
'We think wedding related merchandise sales could easily top £26million in the UK, while food and grocery retailers could cash in to the tune of £360million as consumers buy extra treats to celebrate the occasion.'
Figurines: Royal Swans to be released by Royal Crown Derby to commemorate the engagement
Royal Crown Derby bowl, featuring a W and C on its baseSome 30million overseas tourists visited Britain last year, bringing in revenue worth £16billion. Mr Saunders the extra tourism linked to the wedding would be worth another £216million to the economy.
Sandie Dawe of VisitBritain, said the wedding provides an 'unparalleled chance' to tell the world what Britain has to offer.
'The couple studied at St Andrews and spend time at Balmoral so that is a wonderful boost for Scotland and they live in Wales which has fantastic scenery and awe-inspiring castles,' she said.
'William and Kate are a modern couple. They go to nightclubs and they are outdoor people which gives us the chance to talk about these activites on offer to overseas visitors.
'Kate seems to shop on the high street which is very accessible. The wedding dress will give us a chance to highlight our designers while the wedding gifts will showcase our outstanding craftspeople, potters, glass and textiles.'
Once the date is announced, the industry will hope it does not change like the wedding of Charles and Camilla in 2005 which had to be put back a day due to the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
Boom: Shops are hoping for a sales bonanza not seen since Charles and Diana married in 1981
The last-minute change meant souvenirs carried the wrong date, with manufacturers out of time to produce replacements.
Previous royal weddings have been marked by commemorative stamps and coins and the Royal Mint has admitted it is preparing a coin to mark the occasion.
The engagement of Charles and Diana was promptly followed by an official photo appearing on items ranging from biscuit tins to T-shirts.
Those wanting a memento of the wedding of Charles and Camilla could select a fine bone china mug featuring two entwined letter Cs, a tea towel featuring the happy couple's faces on a Union Jack background and plastic Charles and Camilla place mats.
source: dailymail [endtext]
