Weather boosts Northern Ireland shopping numbers 19 August 2013 Last updated at 11:07 Good weather helped improve shopper numbers on Northern Ireland's high streets last month, according to the latest figures for the industry. July saw a 3% increase in footfall - the first time there has been a rise in four months. The Northern Ireland Retail Consortium said: "It is a real relief to see that shopper numbers are on the up again after the previous month's steep drop." However NI still has the greatest number of vacant shop units in the UK. NIRTC director, Aodhán Connolly, said the weather and "improving economic outlook" encouraged more people to shop for seasonal food and fashions.