Figures released today by FootFall show that retailers benefited from a bumper Monday this week

Valentine's Shoppers 2006 Week-on-week change for Monday 13th February 2006 v Monday 6th February 2006: + 37% Year-on-year change for Monday 13th February 2006 v Monday 14th February 2005: -1.8%. Valentine's Day shoppers and the half-term school holidays combined to produce a 37% increase in the number of people visiting retail destinations on Monday 13th February 2006 compared to the previous week.

FootFall said "This week is the ideal opportunity for retailers to kickstart the year, with major boosts to shopper numbers brought about by Valentine's Day, the introduction of Spring 2006 product lines and half-term shopping trips.

"Like their American counterparts, UK consumers have embraced Valentine's Day and turned it into a major retail event just as they did for Hallowe'en last year. Retailers were able to capitalise on this by introducing extensive Valentine's promotions and offers over the weekend, which captured the imagination of shoppers.

"With Valentine's Day falling on a Tuesday this year, many people left gift and card buying until the last minute resulting in a very busy Monday for retailers."