Homeware sales returned to growth on the high street, while overall sales were up despite a decline in footfall.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose by 6.31% for the week ending 29 October 2023.

Homeware total LFLs rose by +5.48%, offsetting a negative base of -4.00% for the same week last year, denoting the category’s first positive result in the last five weeks.

Store sales for homeware were up by +8.12% from a base of +3.73% for the same week last year, signifying the category’s highest result since the final week of September and its third in the last five weeks.

Total in-store LFL sales were flat, only increasing by a blip of +0.32% from a base of +1.99% for the same week last year. Total non-store LFL sales skyrocketed by +17.33%, easily offsetting a negative base of -4.80% for the same week last year.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “Strong total non-store sales results helped in boosting total sales in a week that coincided with the half term break for many students across the UK and culminated in the Halloween weekend. While non-store sales were positive across the board, fashion saw significantly stronger results.

“The UK experienced generally unsettled weather typified by cooler temperatures with overcast and sporadic rainfall across the country. During the same week last year, the UK witnessed unseasonably warm weather with clear skies and summery conditions.”

Overall footfall fell by -4.4% compared to the equivalent week last year. Footfall growth was down across board with high streets witnessing a drop of -6.2%, a -4.0% decline in shopping centres and a slight fall of just -0.8% in retail parks.