Homeware sales declined on the high street again, marking a thirteenth negative week.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose by 11.40% for the week ending 10 July 2022.

Total Homeware LFLs fell by 15.65% this week, with in store sales also declining by 13.8%. This week marks the category’s thirteenth consecutive negative LFL since April 2022, as well as the fourth negative in store LFL for homewares and the category’s tenth negative LFL in 2022.

Total in-store LFL sales increased by +22.07% from a base of +75.29% for the same week last year. Total non-store LFL sales fell by -1.37% from a base of +24.55% for the same week last year.

Commenting on the results, the BDO said: “The weather was chilly at the start of this week but heated up with temperature levels reaching above 25°C midweek and remaining hot and sunny through the weekend.  The same week last year overcast conditions with intermittent rainfall amidst light sunshine.”

On the whole, footfall saw an increase of +18.3% this week compared to the same week last year. Footfall on the high street climbed by +27.4% as shopping centres also witnessed a footfall increase of +17.0%.

In contrast, footfall at retail parks marginally declined by -0.1% compared to the corresponding week last year.