Decline less than expected
Half-term holidays and Halloween helped retailers attract a 3.6 per cent month-on-month increase in shopper numbers for October, but the underlying trend for the year remains a cause for concern, according to shopper traffic monitor Footfall.

The number of high street shoppers in October remained below levels for the same month last year. There were 5.2 per cent fewer people visiting stores in October this year.

However, the week-on-week decline in footfall levels was less than expected, following the half-term rush, bringing this year's levels back in line with those seen in 2004.

Footfall spokesman Natasha Burton said: 'Consumer demand remains fragile, with retail sales growth slowing in months. Inflation also appeared on the high street for the first time since 2001 as retailers looked to claw back sales revenue deficits compared to last year.

The likely rise in the base rate of interest by the Monetary Policy Committee in November is also likely to have a significant impact on consumers' propensity to spend as mortgage payments rise alongside the cost of servicing debt.'

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