London sales up 14.4% in June – BRC
Retail sales in central London in June were 14.4% higher on a like-for-like basis than a year ago, when sales had risen 3.5%.
Earlier clearance sales this year, the hot weather and stronger consumer confidence than in the UK helped boost sales.
Retail footfall fell back in June to below its year-earlier level, after a small year-on-year increase in May. People preferred to watch the World Cup and Wimbledon rather than travel to shop in the hot weather.
Sterling’s weakness continued to attract overseas visitors, especially from western Europe, China and the Middle East. Tourists were more cautious but attracted by clearance discounts.
Food sales growth held up, but clothing and footwear sales were mixed. The hot weather and clearance events helped, but some people had already bought in May’s sun. The World Cup drove TV sales but indoor homewares suffered as minds turned to outdoor leisure in the sunny weather.
