Drop in retail figures

Retail figures released by FootFall, confirmed the expected lull in May's shopper numbers, showing a week-on-week decrease of -2.5% across the UK, dropping to a disappointing -10.4% in the department store sector Natasha Burton from FootFall said "Traditionally, week 19 is the quietest period of the year and 2006 has proved no exception. National footfall has remained low, although the year-on-year gap in footfall levels remains reasonably steady at -5.2%, despite the additional lure of Saturday's FA Cup match which kept potential shoppers indoors and away from the High Street.

"For the first time this year, department stores have underperformed against national retail trends. Whether this is a temporary blip or a more permanent reversal of fortune following their remarkable success over the last few months remains to be seen.

"But with the World Cup on the horizon, Saturday's FA Cup match gave the first hint of the effects of sporting events on footfall levels and it will be up to retailers to prepare themselves for the World Cup influence over the coming weeks."