Homeware sales slipped back to negative territory on the high street overall, while instore sales jumped double-digit.
According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose by 4.68% for the week ending 9 June 2024.
Homeware total LFL sales fell by -0.12% this week from an already negative base of -2.27% for the same week last year, denoting the category’s sixteenth negative result so far in 2024.
Store homewares LFL sales sprang up by +13.95%, easily offsetting a dour base of -4.52% for the same week last year, marking the category’s eighth positive outcome so far in 2024 and its highest since the third week of August 2023.
Total in-store LFL sales grew by +3.32% from a base of +5.39% for the same week last year. Total non-store LFL sales climbed by +4.45% from a base of +6.56% for the same week last year, signifying the channel’s sixth consecutive positive outcome.
Commenting on the results, BDO said: “Strong online sales for fashion helped sustain the category’s overall results, while homewares saw strong in-store sales but weaker online outcomes.
“The weather this week was fairly dry but a bit colder with clouds and spells of rain in some areas although temperatures generally did not drop below the teens. The corresponding week last year saw mild to high temperatures with bright and sunny spells across the country.”
Overall footfall saw a drop of -1.1% compared to the corresponding week last year. While footfall declined by -2.1% on the high streets and by -1.0% in shopping centres, it slightly increased by +1.0% in retail parks.
