Homeware sales returned to growth on the high street, marking the category’s fifteenth positive result so far in 2024.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales jumped 15.95% for the week ending 8 September 2024.

Homeware total LFL sales increased by +1.93%, but failed to offset a negative base of -5.61% for the same week last year, which marks the category’s fifteenth positive result so far in 2024.

Store homewares LFL sales jumped by +16.07% from a base of -6.20% for the same week last year, denoting of the category’s fifteenth positive outcome so far in 2024.

Total in-store LFL sales climbed by +8.39% this week from a base of -4.69% for the same week last year, marking the category’s highest result since the last week of September 2023. Total non-store LFL sales soared by +23.92% from a base of -3.07% for the same week last year, signifying the category’s strongest jump since the penultimate week of December 2023.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “Both store and non-store sales across all retail segments saw strong LFL results this week leading to the first double digit-growth outcome for total LFL sales in 2024.

“However, the strong results for this week, which may have been boosted by end of season discounting and promotional sales by some retailers, came off of negative base outcomes for the same week last year.

“The weather this week was unsettled with drier and muggy conditions in some parts of the country and thunderstorms, clouds and rainy weather for others. The same week last year experienced summery conditions typified by warm weather and sunny spells with temperatures hitting above 30°C.”

Overall footfall increased by +0.5% compared to the same week last year. Footfall to retail parks saw the strongest growth this week, climbing by +5.7%, while shopping centres saw an increase of +3.9%. On the other hand, high street footfall declined by -3.6%.