Heatwave takes toll on High St

HIGH Street stores have suffered their steepest fall in sales for more than two years thanks to the heatwave that has left Britain sweltering.

Retail business information group FootFall said the number of shoppers last week dropped 7.3% on the same week last year. That's the largest fall since April 2001.

Over the past weekend, when temperatures hit record highs, numbers were down 8.5%. 'People took the chance to either stay at home and enjoy the weather or make the most of the British beaches,' said Footfall marketing manager David Smyth.

The numbers are based almost entirely on shoppers visiting non-food outlets.

A separate report from British Retail Consortium and accountants KPMG points to a slowdown in like-for-like store sales growth last month.

Underlying sales rose 2.6% year-on-year, with big sellers including summer tops, sunglasses, barbecues and beer. But clothing sales suffered. Stores already stocked with autumn and winter ranges are preparing for a slower start to the season.

The July figure compares with growth of 3% in June. The overall underlying sales growth rate on a three-month measure dropped to 2.4% from 3.1% in June.

'Overall July has been a reasonable month for the retail sector,' said BRC director general Bill Moyes. 'Some retailers have benefited from the warm weather, but in some parts of the industry customers have stayed away.'

London sales continuing to lag general retail trends. 'The lack of overseas and domestic visitors and the cost and hassle of getting into central London are punishing the London retail industry,' Moyes added. 'There is now a desperate need for the Government and the mayor to work together to stimulate tourism and tackle the capital's chronic transport problems.'