June sales up for the capital
London retail sales enjoyed a welcome boost prior to the bomb attacks that rocked the capital last week. According to the London Retail Consortium/KPMG Retail Sales Monitor, like-for-like June sales in the capital increased by 2 per cent compared with April and were up 3.6 per cent year on year.

The LRC noted that June last year was affected hit by poor weather and industrial action on the tube. LRC director Kevin Hawkins said: 'At first glance, it would appear London's retailers had a storming month in June, especially compared with the UK figures that still linger in the negative territory. The average monthly gain is still far below that of 2004 and London is no exception to the tough trading environment experienced throughout the country.'

Hawkins added that London's July sales are sure to be affected by the attacks last Thursday, a sentiment echoed by KPMG head of retail Helen Dickinson. She said: 'Any hope that the month's growth will be indicative of ongoing strong performance is likely to have been dashed following the introduction of an increased congestion charge in July and the tragic events at the end of last week, which will no doubt impact negatively on shopper and tourist numbers.'

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