September sales and footfall up
Like-for-like retail sales in the capital were 12.5 per cent higher in September, although this was compared with a weak September last year, when sales dropped 2.3 per cent in the wake of the London bombings.

The London Retail Sales Monitor also found that footfall was 11 per cent higher than in September last year, when footfall fell 16 per cent.

Commenting on the figures, London Retail Consortium director Kevin Hawkins said that the results 'flattered' London and were driven largely by the return of high-spending tourists to the capital from Russia and the Middle East.

He added that the tourism boost was 'likely to ease back over the next few months' and that 'we should not, therefore, expect this level of sales growth to continue into the Christmas trading period'.

The LRC said that clothing and footwear had been hit by the mild weather, but that designerwear and accessories 'remained strong'.