Rising interest rates set to stunt growth
Shopper numbers rose last week, but, with the coinciding interest rate rise, the outlook for the high street remains bleak, according to shopping traffic monitor FootFall.

Footfall was up by 0.5 per cent for the week from July 31 to August 6, compared with the previous week.

Shopper visits for the period increased by 1.1 per cent year on year - up on 2005 for the fifth time this year. However, FootFall forecasted that the increase in interest rates to 4.75 per cent could put an end to any recovery in the retail sector.

FootFall spokeswoman Natasha Burton said: 'Consumers are being stretched at the moment, with rising petrol prices, concerns over energy bills and increasing mortgages, so they will be forced to cut back on non-essential spending. It remains a disappointing year for retailers, which have been hit hard by the heatwave and consumer apathy on the high street.'

Shopper numbers rose last week, but, with the coinciding interest rate rise, the outlook for the high street remains bleak, according to shopping traffic monitor FootFall.

Footfall was up by 0.5 per cent for the week from July 31 to August 6, compared with the previous week.

Shopper visits for the period increased by 1.1 per cent year on year - up on 2005 for the fifth time this year. However, FootFall forecasted that the increase in interest rates to 4.75 per cent could put an end to any recovery in the retail sector.

FootFall spokeswoman Natasha Burton said: 'Consumers are being stretched at the moment, with rising petrol prices, concerns over energy bills and increasing mortgages, so they will be forced to cut back on non-essential spending. It remains a disappointing year for retailers, which have been hit hard by the heatwave and consumer apathy on the high street.'

Shopper numbers rose last week, but, with the coinciding interest rate rise, the outlook for the high street remains bleak, according to shopping traffic monitor FootFall.

Footfall was up by 0.5 per cent for the week from July 31 to August 6, compared with the previous week.

Shopper visits for the period increased by 1.1 per cent year on year - up on 2005 for the fifth time this year. However, FootFall forecasted that the increase in interest rates to 4.75 per cent could put an end to any recovery in the retail sector.

FootFall spokeswoman Natasha Burton said: 'Consumers are being stretched at the moment, with rising petrol prices, concerns over energy bills and increasing mortgages, so they will be forced to cut back on non-essential spending. It remains a disappointing year for retailers, which have been hit hard by the heatwave and consumer apathy on the high street.'

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