"We used to think, 'let's wait' even though we wanted to buy, " says one shopper, carrying a bag from Louis Vuitton.

CNN: Hit by disaster, Japanese city sees spending soar

That's no mean feat for any entrepreneur, let alone one who can barely buy a drink legally in the States.

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And there's a further problem now: with so many buy-to-let properties being repossessed, one may well end up in the same situation again in a few months' time.

BBC: Have Your Say: Repossession and tenants

One of the bankers cited by Vedomosti said that one of Evraz' biggest shareholders, Alexander Abramov--also one of Russia's wealthiest industrialists --was not quite ready to let Abramovich buy a majority stake, but could be willing for him to buy a minority controlling stake of 25% plus one share.

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