Homeware sales return to positive growth on the high street, ending three consecutive weeks of decline.
According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose 4.18% for the week ending 16 March 2025.
Homewares total LFLs saw an upward movement of +2.21% from a weak base of -11.98% for the same week in 2024, signifying the eighth positive for the category since 2025 began.
Store homewares sales increased by +3.75% from a base of -10.10% for the same week last year, denoting the sixth positive result for the category since the commencement of 2025.
Total store LFL sales climbed +5.61% from a negative base of -12.67% for the same week in 2024. Total non-store LFL sales rose by +3.35%, offsetting a base of -1.83% for the same week last year.
Commenting on the results, BDO said: “Both store and non-store results grew this week, boosting total LFL sales, and resulting in the first positive week following two consecutive poor outcomes.
“Fashion was the leading retail segment for this week, potentially driven by shopping for Spring season clothing. It was a cold week for the UK as chilly weather and wintry showers swept across the country with northern areas seeing frosty and icy conditions.
“During the same week last year, the weather in the UK was a mixed bag of chilly and mild conditions accompanied by sporadic showers.”
Overall footfall grew by +2.2% this week, driven by favourable outcomes in retail parks (+4.0%) and shopping centres (+3.7%), while high street footfall saw modest growth of +0.6%.
