Birmingham's retail sector remains bullish after the city maintained its position as the UK's best shopping destination outside London's West End for the fourth consecutive year.

The CACI Retail Footprint 2009 positions Birmingham as the second most popular retail city in the UK, with over £2 billion being spent in the city's shops over the past 12 months. 

The latest figures also confirm that Birmingham is closing the gap on the nation's capital. Despite the economic climate, retail spend in Birmingham dropped by only 6% over the past year, compared to an 18% fall in London. Manchester has suffered a 13% drop in spending which has seen the city lose its 3rd place ranking to Glasgow.

Alan Chatham, Chair of Retail Birmingham, said: "I am really pleased that Birmingham has been able to consolidate its position in the UK retail rankings. The city has lots to offer visitors and shoppers but we cannot afford to be complacent. 

"These are difficult times for retailers and Retail Birmingham will be working hard over the next year to ensure that Birmingham continues to improve its shopping offer and environment to become the UK's number one shopping destination of choice."

Dave Hodgson, Marketing Director at Marketing Birmingham, said: "Shopping's not only important in helping the city's economy directly, but in raising Birmingham's overall reputation as a sophisticated and exciting visitor destination, both in the UK and overseas.

"Times are tough, but the fact the West End and Manchester have suffered percentage falls two to three times those of Birmingham shows that this city has got its retail offering, and how we market it, just about right."