London retail sales continued to outperform the rest of the UK in February when they rose 5.9 per cent like for like, according to the British Retail Consortium-KPMG London Retail Sales Monitor.

The figure compares with the national average of a 1.8 per cent like-for-like decline.

In the three months to the end of February, like-for-likes climbed 3.5 per cent in the capital.

Although footfall was hit by the heavy snow in the first week of the month, shopper numbers increased later in the month.

The strength of the euro continued to attract overseas visitors, especially from Western Europe.

The BRC said clothing and footwear benefited from the very cold weather and extended discounts, but homewares suffered, particularly big-ticket items. The later Mothering Sunday this year hit sales of gift items.

BRC director-general Stephen Robertson said: “Despite the recession and a poor start to February due to extreme snow, the capital’s retail sales outperformed the rest of the UK.

“London retailers benefited as the weak pound made shopping here more attractive for overseas visitors – especially those from eurozone countries.

“Half-term also helped. More families opted to stay at home this year rather than go on foreign holidays. Consumer confidence held up a bit better as London is proving slightly more resilient to recession than other parts of the UK.”