Retail in London’s West End was boosted by shoppers flocking to fashion summer sales, the New West End Company said today.
The West End’s footfall figures were up 6.6% for June compared with the same period in 2007.
The figures also show a footfall increase of 10.2% compared with May this year. The increase is compared with a footfall drop of 0.1% on the national high street.
Jace Tyrrell, spokesman for the new West End Company, said the early fashion sales, increased petrol prices and a high number of overseas visitors were bolstering the West End’s fortunes.
‘It appears shoppers are turning their backs on driving to out of town shopping centres, instead hopping on public transport to make the most of the West End’s summer sales,’ he said. ‘96% of shoppers now travel into London’s West End by public transport.
‘Many West End retailers are reporting strong summer sales, with Selfridges achieving their fastest and best summer sale on record.
‘The trend for so-called “Pick Me Up Purchasing” continues to thrive, with many of our 98 flagship West End stores reporting high sales of a broad spectrum of price ranged fashion items.’
Figures released by the London retail Consortium also showed the capital is performing strongly despite the credit crunch with retail sales up in central London in June 8.7% compared with 2007.
