Shoppers put in last-minute appearance
The 'rush curve', which measures the week-on-week footfall build-up to Christmas, is stronger than last year, proof that consumers are doing their Christmas shopping later, according to a survey by retail analyst SPSL.

In the first two weeks of December, shopper numbers were up 16.5 per cent, compared with an 11.4 per cent rise last year. However, footfall was down 4.3 per cent on the same period last year.

SPSL director of knowledge management Dr Tim Denison said: 'Retailers should take heart from these latest Retail Traffic Index figures. Although we are building from a quieter base than last year, the acceleration in the number of trips being made is now outpacing 2005.'

Retail footfall for last week, officially the second week of December, was down 3.6 per cent year-on-year, but up 8 per cent on the previous week.

Denison said: 'A busy Saturday (with shopper numbers up 1.1 per cent against the same day last year) made all the difference. We are still very much on target to reach a credible Christmas result for retailing and see no need to revise our December forecast (shopper numbers down 2.4 per cent on last year).'

But Denison issued a warning to those intent on leaving their shopping until the last minute: Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, so the shops won't be open as late.

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