Storm Katie dampens Easter shopping spree

Visits to UK shopping centres and high streets slump 6% and 10.5% on Saturday and Monday compared with last Easter

Retailers have been left counting the cost of Storm Katie after the wet and windy weather put a dampener on the traditional Easter spending spree.

The long weekend usually heralds the first big trading days since Christmas for the country's store chains. But retail specialist Springboard, which tracks shopper numbers, said that after a boost from the sunny conditions on Good Friday the number of visits to shopping centres and high streets around the country slumped 6% and 10.5% on Saturday and Monday compared with last Easter.