10/07/2009 - Good weather is bad news for shops
Good weather is bad news for struggling retailers as shoppers turn to sunning themselves on the beach, according to accountancy firm BDO Stoy Hayward.
It reports average like-for-like sales down 5.6%, with homeware and non-fashion shops particularly badly hit, down 14.1% and 7.3% respectively.
Only since heavy snows in early February kept shoppers at home has the situation been as bad as it is now, with gift shops and the leisure sector reporting the weakest performances.
Says a Stoy Hayward spokeswoman: "Up until now, we've been trying to remain positive, but the writing is on the wall. It is not looking healthy out there."
He says that with summer sales already in full swing, fashion stores are suffering less, but they have nevertheless seen falls of 4%. Shoes, formal-wear and lingerie saw the worst drops, with only niche brands and the youth market performing "fairly well".
Even online shopping, which is taking trade from land-locked competitors, has not been immune. Internet and mail order firms are at their lowest ebb since February after growing by 20% last year.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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