Homeware sales rose on the high street, indicating the category’s seventh consecutive positive result.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose 6.76% for the week ending 12 January 2025.

Total homewares LFL sales grew by +6.13% this week, failing to offset a negative base of -12.02% for the same week last year, symbolising the category’s seventh consecutive positive result.

Store sales fell by -2.91% from a base of -6.54% for the same week last year, denoting the category’s first negative result after two consecutive positive outcomes.

Total in-store LFL sales sank by -2.88% from a negative base of -2.03%. Total non-store LFL sales soared by +21.33% from a base of +2.76% for the same week last year.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “Retail sales tracked in the first full week of 2025 showed that non-store sales performed very positively across all retail segments with growth results hitting double digits.

“In-store sales dipped into negative territory this week, except for lifestyle, possibly influenced by the impact of the extreme weather on footfall.

“This week saw a continuation of wintry conditions marked by bitterly cold weather with subzero temperatures, snow showers and frost, although some areas had sunshine and patchy fog.

“The same week last year experienced very cold weather with temperatures below 0°C as well as snow and icy conditions caused by Arctic winds.”

Overall footfall declined by -3.3%, following two consecutive weeks of positive outcomes. High street footfall saw a sharp drop of -6.1% and shopping centres saw a decrease of -1.4%. In contrast, footfall in retail parks saw a slight increase of +0.6%.