Valentine's Day and half-term coax shoppers onto the streets

The latest figures from FootFall revealed that the combination last week of Valentine's Day and the school half-term break offered some encouragement to embattled UK retailers.

FootFall's statistics for the week ending February 21 showed a healthy 5.4 per cent year-on-year increase for department stores and an exceptional 18.2 per cent rise week on week. Town centre figures also showed growth, with yearly 6.5 per cent and weekly 5.2 per cent rises respectively. Figures for the national index - compiled from 135 retail centres nationwide - reported increases of 7.3 per cent week on week and 5 per cent year on year.

FootFall market analyst Sheelah Turner said last week's mild weather may also have contributed to the improved shopper figures, and that organised half-term events at shopping centres had allowed them to 'differentiate themselves and provide an attraction to families and children of all ages'.