Consumers Continue Shopping

The number of shoppers across the UK grew by 1.8 per cent year-on-year in the week of July 12. The year-on-year figures from retail business information specialist FootFall show a rise for the fifth week running.

David Smyth, director of marketing and strategy at FootFall said: "This is the longest sustained run this year so far. The run began with the advent of Euro 2004, and the inclement weather we have seen during the past couple of weeks is continuing to boost footfall compared with the same period in 2003.

"We were surprised that there wasn't a larger rise however, as the comparative week in 2003 was one of the hottest of the year. Historically that equates to low footfall as potential shoppers stay away to spend time in the sun. "Week on week figures are not faring so well as shopper numbers are down 0.9 per cent on the previous week. Perhaps the media coverage on the slowdown in house prices and the threat of rate rises are beginning to have an effect now that the confidence boost of Euro 2004 is subsiding.

Smyth added: "Next week's figures will be important as they indicate the start of the school holidays and increased opportunities to shop. If we do not see the expected leap in week-on-week figures we will know that the measures to curb consumer spending are definitely taking effect."