Retail boost from cooler weather

UK retailers are seeing an increase in income and shopper numbers as temperatures return to normal levels. Although much of the UK is still enjoying very warm and sunny weather, the record-breaking heatwave seen in early August has subsided. Figures show that the number of shoppers across the country week were up on last year. According to the FootFall Index, the number of shoppers was up 2.5 per cent compared to the same week in August 2002.

David Smyth, marketing manager at FootFall said: "Over the last week we have seen footfall levels increase quite considerably as temperatures have stabilised at a lower level than the record peaks seen the week before. It has been well documented the impact that these temperatures have had on shopping habits, so this change will be seen as welcome relief to Britain's retailers."

A 4.8 per cent week-on-week increase suggests that shoppers have returned in numbers as the temperatures become more bearable. Smyth said: "We are now into the period of increasing shopper activity as families prepare for the end of the summer holidays and the start of the new school year. We should therefore see increasing footfall levels over the coming three weeks in response to this demand.

"The slightly cooler weather last week may have brought this increased activity level forward a week, but it is more likely that people were returning to the shops after finding it too hot to shop the previous week." FootFall measures over 150m shopper visits per month in over 110 shopping centres covering more than 6,000 retail outlets.