Sales rise gives hope for festive season

Hopes for a better than expected Christmas for the high street were raised yesterday after retailers posted their best performance so far this year. Chains delivered a 1.5 per cent uplift in like-for-like sales in September, with the colder weather particularly boosting clothing and footwear retailers, according to the British Retail Consortium and KPMG survey.

David McCorquodale, the head of retail at KPMG, said: "After a turbulent year, September's sales figures bring much-needed relief."