Retail sales up almost 10% in central London in March, with department stores attracting visitors.
Central London outperformed the rest of the UK in March with like-for-like retail sales up 9.9% on a year ago when sales had risen 5.2%. The rest of the UK saw a 4.4% uplift for the month.

According to the BRC-KPMG London Retail Sales Monitor, the early Easter boosted the capital's year-on-year comparison, while retail footfall for the month rose above its year-earlier level for the first time since October 2009.

Sterling's weakness continued to attract overseas visitors to London in March, while department stores were a big attraction for both tourists and British families over the Easter holiday.

KPMG head of retail explained that the figures highlighted "the capital's ongoing resilience and its dependence on overseas visitors taking advantage of sterling's weakness. In particular, department stores continue to be successful in attracting visitors both from home and overseas."

Non-food products did well during the month, although the sales monitor revealed that consumer caution and unseasonable weather limited the gains.

BRC director general Stephen Robertson said: "These are strong figures helped by an earlier Easter, overseas visitors and improving consumer confidence. Overall, London's retail sales growth was well up o a year ago and outperformed the rest of the UK by a wide margin."

Mr Robertson added: "Pre-election uncertainty is still making customers nervous about spending but they feel more confident than a year ago and London shoppers are more willing to spend than those elsewhere."