The London toy retailer, Hamleys, reported a 14.5% increase in sales, with tourists spending on their children sited as a contributing factor.

Sales from merchandise from Harry Potter, Cars 2 and Transformers have been strong, and there have been growing numbers of international visitors to the Hamleys’ flagship store.

Hamleys is owned by the nationalised Icelandic bank, Landsbanki. The store’s chief executive is Gudjon Reynisson, who was born in Iceland. He said that the highest spending tourists were Scandinavians. “Historically, Scandinavians have travelled a lot to London, and Hamleys is a real destination,” and added, “I promise it’s not just my own friends and family.”

Reynisson was pleased with the results and believes in the international appeal of Hamleys, “The Hamleys brand travels very well as children and families enjoy playing with the same toys wherever they are in the world.”

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It seems Lord Sugar, star of BBC’s The Apprentice, seems to be supportive of Labour leader Ed Miliband; judging by the donation of nearly £35,000 he gave to Miliband’s office in June.

This comes after Nick Hewer, who is Lord Sugar’s right hand man on The Apprentice, publicly criticised Miliband earlier this year.

Lord Sugar was hailed as an “enterprise tsar” by Gordon Brown in 2009 and he is a role model for many in sales.

Here are some of his more comedic quotes, which have made him popular with viewers of The Apprentice:

“Could be you’re here because you’re good with words and know the right thing to say at the right time. I know the words to Candle in the Wind. It don’t make me Elton John.” ~ Lord Sugar

“Howard I’m thinking whether I should get you a cushion because sitting on the fence there you could get a sore arse. So are you gonna talk up?” ~ Lord Sugar

“Well, you know how to work out redundancy on a calculator, don’t you?” ~ Lord Sugar

“Your mind seems like concrete to me – thoroughly mixed but set in its ways.” ~ Lord Sugar

“I keep hearing a lot of hot air coming out of your mouth, so in the interests of climate change shut up.” ~ Lord Sugar

“I like that you believe in yourself. But it wasn’t long ago that you believed in the tooth fairy.” ~ Lord Sugar

“I’ve read all your CVs and on paper you all look good, but so does fish and chips.” ~ Lord Sugar

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Debenhams department stores have seen a recent increase in sales and are putting it down to cash-strapped shoppers cheering themselves up with affordable treats; a phenomenon dubbed the “lipstick effect.”

The beauty department of the store has done surprisingly well, says Debenhams, considering the high street downturn. Female shoppers buying make up and perfume have helped the retailer increase its premium beauty market share from 26.5pc to 28pc of the market.

Michael Sharp, Debenhams’ deputy chief executive, says like for like sales, including those made online, increased by 1.1pc over the last 43 weeks (ending June 25th). Internet sales increased by a whopping 77pc during this same period.

Mr Sharp explained the success they have experienced, “Customers are focused on value not price, and quality is more important than before. Two-thirds of our shoppers say that Designers at Debenhams is the reason they shop there. They are also looking for promotions and for newness.”

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