LONDON SHOPPERS LESS UPBEAT

14 May 2007

· Retail sales in Central London in April were 4.5% higher than a year earlier, on a like-for-like basis. In April 2006 sales had risen 11.9% on April 2005: Easter fell in March in 2005, but in April in 2006. 
· Retail footfall remained below year-earlier levels, according to SPSL. Weaker footfall but strong sales is in line with reports of people making fewer shopping trips but spending more on each trip.
· Visitor numbers remained higher than a year ago, with Western Europeans still the main overseas shoppers, together with Russians, but Americans less numerous.
· Warm sunny weather boosted food and drink, summer fashions and outdoor living, but there was less interest in ‘indoor’ homewares and big-ticket items.