Cold snap warms retailers as shivering shoppers return

Hopes of a recovery in fortunes for Britain’s retailers were lifted today after figures showed the cold snap had brought shoppers back on to the high street.

Retail analysts FootFall said visits to major shopping destinations in the week beginning November 14 were 8.5% higher than the previous week, although the figure is still 2.9% down on the same period a year earlier.

Footfall spokeswoman Natasha Burton said: “October was a very bad month. The weather was mild and people were happy with the clothes they had.

“However the sudden change has sent them rushing to the shops to stock up on new jumpers, hats and gloves.”

Department store chain John Lewis said at the weekend that the cold weather had helped boost sales across its 27 outlets.

Consumer interest in womenswear and gifts such as MP3 music players contributed to sales of £62 million for the week to November 19 – a 5.8% increase on last year and its best improvement since August.

Footfall said shopper numbers in department stores were up 11.5% on the previous week, providing a boost across the sector.

Ms Burton added: “In the last week big promotions and discount days from retailers such as Bhs, Debenhams and M&S have ensured that the large department stores are looking like the real winners.”