As supermarket chain Asda’s income tracker reveals that families are £3 better off than they were a year ago, the high street is displaying signs of recovery, according to retail recruiters.

Steve Walters, managing director at Faces Bespoke Retail Recruitment Consultancy, told Recruiter: “There were definitely positive signs from April into May. There was an increase in activity in April and in May people are more prepared to talk about recruitment. We are seeing a loosening of the strings.

Kate McCarthy, managing director at McCarthy Retail Recruitment, adds: “I think sales on the high street are doing well. There is confidence at the minute. It is not so depressed. The press are not talking about the recession all the time so people do feel more confident.

“People have more disposable income and they are spending it. Hopefuly it will build market confidence and we will come out of this sooner.”