LONDON - Britain's heatwave is draining consumers' appetite for shopping, according to weekly data from business information group Footfall.
The group said shopper numbers had fallen for the second week in a row -- down 0.9 percent between July 17 and 23 -- with the year-on-year figure 5 percent weaker, taking the level below 2005 for the first time in July.
The comparison with last year is particularly marked given weak retail sentiment in the wake of the July 7, 2005 bombings.
"The ongoing hot weather spell continues to impact the number of people out shopping during the week," said Footfall spokeswoman Natasha Burton.
July 19 was the UK's hottest July day since records began and saw footfall slide 7.3 percent on the previous year.
Burton said the heatwave was making many consumers think twice about shopping above their basic needs or opt instead to focus on larger supermarkets and retail centres where shopping could be done in the relative comfort of air conditioning.
"Even the sudden outbreak of storms and the start of some high profile sales this weekend failed to lift numbers," she said.
The department store sector has also performed poorly, said Footfall, which is part of GUS Plc's Experian business.
"It fell over 5 percent both week-on-week and compared to 2005," said Burton.
"However, this sector tends to fare well during the holiday period when it acts as a one-stop shop for consumers holiday needs, so this week may well prove the lull before the storm, with footfall levels expected to climb in the coming weeks as the school holidays begin."
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
