The latest footfall figures show that non-food retailers enjoyed a significantly better first half of the year than any since 2009.
Ipsos Retail Performance says the recovery of the UK's non-food retail market accelerated in June, with its Retail Traffic Index (RTI) increasing by 7.6% on May, although falling 2.5% on June 2013.

Although footfall for the second quarter closed 1.2% down on that of Q2 2013, it was an improvement on the deficit of 1.6% in Q1. And this is the fifth quarter in a row that the year-on-year gap has narrowed, underlining the progressive nature of the recovery on the high street, says Ipsos.

England's early exit from the World Cup, coupled with the late kick-off times, meant there was less disruption than predicted to shopping routines.

Customers were also out in force for the arrival of the summer sales, which began breaking during the second week of June, a week earlier than last year.

"These latest results are further testament that the economy continues to recover," commented Dr Tim Denison, director at Ipsos Retail Performance.

"Whilst year-on-year footfall levels across the country are still falling, the amount by which they are dropping is decreasing quarter by quarter, which will give reassurance to retailers that demand is recovering.

"The return of shoppers to the high street has been a gradual process, as confidence in the economy and household financial security has grown. The fact that progress has been slow is by no means a bad thing, far better than a return to the 'famine' or 'feast' mentality that has dogged the past."

He added: "It's been a far more positive first half of the year for retailers than any since 2009 across most of the country."