Homeware sales fell on the high street, marking a twentieth negative result so far in 2024.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales fell by 0.04% for the week ending 4 August 2024.

Homeware total LFL sales went down by -4.67% this week from a base of +1.93% for the same week last year, marking the category’s twentieth negative result so far in 2024.

Store homewares LFL sales fell by -1.81% from a very healthy base of +10.98% for the same week last year, indicative of the category’s nineteenth negative result so far in 2024.

Total in-store LFL sales grew by +0.79% from a base of +5.21% for the same week last year. Total non-store LFL sales increased by +3.46% from a base of +1.44% for the same week last year.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “This week’s total LFL sales result marks the first negative outcome since the last week of May and the tenth so far in 2024. Positive outcomes for fashion helped sustain total store and non-store results, however, poor lifestyle and homewares outcome greatly impacted the result for total LFL sales.

“The final week of July saw mixed weather with parts of the UK seeing sweltering conditions with temperatures reaching above 25°C, while some areas experienced thunderstorms and rain. The same week last year was characterised by dull and murky weather alongside sporadic showers.”

Overall footfall result was flat this week, seeing an increase of +0.5% compared to the same week last year. High street footfall grew by +2.5% and retail parks saw a slight increase of +0.6%. In contrast, shopping centre footfall dropped by -3.4% compared to the same week in 2023.