Consumers spend more — but still keep tight hold on cash

SHOPPERS are spending more time in stores but are still keeping a tight hold on their money, according to two new unrelated indices.

The latest Experian Footfall Index has found a 0.2% increase in retail footfall from April to June versus the same period in 2010 — a small but significant increase following 14 consecutive quarters of declining numbers of people visiting shops.

However, while people are getting their retail appetite back, the CSO’s latest Consumer Price Index showed that low consumer confidence levels in June drove down the prices of clothing and footwear (-4.3%), furnishings (-2.6%), restaurants (-0.1%) and leisure (-0.6%).