Retail sales in central London in May were 1.6% higher, on a like-for-like basis, than a year ago, when sales were up 8.5%, driven by much warmer weather the BRC/KPMG London retail sales monitor reveals. Retail footfall in May fell back just below its year-earlier level, as the weather was not as sunny as May 2008. The favourable exchange rate continued to attract overseas visitors, especially those from Western Europe, but tourists were more cautious and tended to spend less. Clothing, footwear and outdoor living continued to sell on sunny days but less strongly than last May.