Homeware sales were down on the high street, while overall sales marked lowest result since the final week of March 2023.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales fell by 6.54% for the week ending 8 October 2023.

Homeware total LFLs fell by -4.52% from a positive base of +4.25% for the same week last year, indicating the category’s twenty-sixth negative result so far in 2023.

Store sales for homeware grew slightly, up +2.20% from positive base of +5.85% for the same week last year, marking the category’s thirty-first positive result so far in 2023.

Despite positive lifestyle and homewares store sales, total in-store LFL sales were down -1.69% from a base of +4.05% for the same week last year, due to negative fashion sales. Total non-store sales fell sharply, down -13.49% from a flat base of +0.39% for the same week last year.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “This marks the second consecutive week of negative LFL sales and the lowest result since the final week of March 2023.

“This year’s Indian Summer continued this week, with widespread sunshine and warm weather across the UK for much of the week, although the latter half of the week saw cooler, rainy conditions particularly in Scotland and the North of England.”

Overall footfall was flat, up just +0.8%, dragged down by negative performances at shopping centres and retail parks. Due in part, perhaps, to the warm weather, high street traffic experienced modest growth, up +2.4% year-on-year.