Budapest’s Váci utca has been ranked in the middle in a list of 16 shopping streets worldwide, reports Ingatlanmenedzser.hu. While “high streets” in such cities as Paris, Moscow, Amsterdam or Milan were ranked lower than Pest’s best-known shopping drag, the study also revealed shortcomings of the popular Budapest attraction.
The study was carried out by test shoppers in June 2008. The participating countries in addition to Hungary were Belgium, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, France, the Netherlands, China, Monaco, Italy, Russia, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States. Váci utca was the only Central European location included in the survey.
Testers evaluated the condition and cleanliness of streets, the helpfulness of locals and police officers and the quality of service at stores.
While the survey’s “test shoppers” liked the atmosphere of Váci utca (trees, flowers, benches, attractions) they gave it low marks in the area of public safety, noting an absence of police. Among the streets ranked Váci utca was seen as having the highest number of beggars and homeless people.
The quality of service, however, was rated the highest among surveyed locations, with sales attendants considered to be friendly and “smiley.”
Out of 100 points, Váci utca received a total of 76 points and came in 7th place. The “winner” was Rodeo Drive in Beverley Hills (Los Angeles) with 84 points.