Some good news at last
London retail sales got a much needed uplift in sales in April. According to the London Retail Consortium (LRC), in conjunction with KPMG, sales in London rose 3 per cent on a like-for-like basis, compared with the same period last year.

The result will gladden London's retailers, which experienced a level sales in March and a drop of 0.4 per cent in February. The Easter holidays extending into the month provided a boost, as did relatively warmer weather at weekends. Easter promotions boosted trading, especially in womenswear and childrenswear.

LRC director-general Kevin Hawkins said: 'While many retailers in London will breathe a sigh of relief at these figures, the average monthly gain this year is still far below that of 2004. Big-ticket items are still suffering and the weak dollar continues to deter American tourists. London's retailers will be nervous about the coming months and feeling under pressure to stay out of negative territory.'