Homeware sales maintained in positive territory on the high street, while instore sales were up for a fifth straight week.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose by 3.92% for the week ending 23 June 2024.

Homeware total LFLs grew by +9.06%, offsetting a negative base of -0.38% for the same week last year and thus signifying the category’s ninth positive result so far in 2024.

Store sales for homeware were positive for a fifth consecutive week, growing by +12.98% from a negative base of -3.56% for the same week last year, marking the category’s seventh positive result in the last ten weeks.

Total in-store LFL sales recorded their fourth consecutive positive result, despite negative store fashion LFL sales, growing by +1.48% from a base of +3.41%. Total non-store LFL sales grew by +5.29%, from a negative base of -7.43% for the same week in 2023.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “Following a prolonged period of wet and autumnal conditions, much of the UK experienced the first signs of summer weather, with temperatures reaching as high as 23 degrees Celsius in parts.

“During the same week last year the UK experienced sweltering conditions, interspersed with rain in some parts of the country, which culminated in the one of the hottest days of 2023.” 

Overall footfall ticked down by -0.9% compared to the same week last year. Perhaps encouraged by the warm weather, high streets enjoyed the only positive growth this week, growing by just +0.4%, while foot traffic to retail parks and shopping centres fell by -1.1% and -3.3% respectively.