This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34110342

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
High Street shoppers run for cover in heavy rains High Street shoppers run for cover in heavy rains
(about 11 hours later)
Wet weather over the bank holiday weekend drove shoppers indoors, with many opting for covered shopping centres instead of the High Street, figures suggest.Wet weather over the bank holiday weekend drove shoppers indoors, with many opting for covered shopping centres instead of the High Street, figures suggest.
The number of people visiting shopping centres surged by 6.2% compared with last year, while footfall on the High Street slipped 0.1%, according to retail analyst Springboard.The number of people visiting shopping centres surged by 6.2% compared with last year, while footfall on the High Street slipped 0.1%, according to retail analyst Springboard.
Retail parks were the most popular destination, with visitors up 8.5%.Retail parks were the most popular destination, with visitors up 8.5%.
Overall, footfall was up on last year.Overall, footfall was up on last year.
Springboard Insights director Diane Wehrle credited strong consumer confidence for the rise.Springboard Insights director Diane Wehrle credited strong consumer confidence for the rise.
"Favourable inflation rates, low unemployment and UK-wide pay rises are enabling shoppers to spend in comfort ," she added. "Consumers are feeling much more confident about their job prospects and wage increases, so they are willing to go out and spend," she told the BBC.
Springboard said it had measured footfall across UK retail destinations for Saturday, Sunday and up until midday Monday, but it did not say whether Scotland, where it was not a bank holiday, was excluded from the figures.
'Strong expectations''Strong expectations'
Separately, business lobby group the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said its monthly survey showed economic growth had continued to pick up pace in the three months to August.Separately, business lobby group the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said its monthly survey showed economic growth had continued to pick up pace in the three months to August.
It also said there were "strong expectations" for the next three months.It also said there were "strong expectations" for the next three months.
The CBI's monthly survey includes 754 private firms from a range of sectors.The CBI's monthly survey includes 754 private firms from a range of sectors.
The lobby group's monthly private sector growth indicator showed an overall reading of 31% for the three months to August, just below the 2015 high recorded in May.The lobby group's monthly private sector growth indicator showed an overall reading of 31% for the three months to August, just below the 2015 high recorded in May.
The percentage reading indicates the number of firms reporting that business performance was up, compared with those reporting it was down.The percentage reading indicates the number of firms reporting that business performance was up, compared with those reporting it was down.
"The weather may have been a washout this month, but the sun has certainly been shining on the British economy," said CBI director of economics Rain Newton-Smith."The weather may have been a washout this month, but the sun has certainly been shining on the British economy," said CBI director of economics Rain Newton-Smith.