China’s online giant Alibaba UK is in discussions with London retailers and hotel groups, including Harrods and hotel group IHG, as it plans a UK push for its payment service.
Alipay, run by the financial arm of Alibaba, is a mobile wallet  that lets Chinese tourists pay for purchases abroad. The mobile payment app already has more than 450 million Chinese users, and last week signed a deal with French payment-processing firm Ingenico  that will boost its infrastructure.
Alibaba UK/Ireland MD Amee Chande says the company aims to have Alipay accepted in major London stores and attractions by October, when thousands of Chinese tourists visit the capital during their mid-autumn festival holiday.
Chinese visitors spend £2176 (US$2859) each  on average on a visit to the UK, according to Visit Britain.