Homeware sales remained in negative territory on the high street, while instore sales were also down again.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose by 2.71% for the week ending 7 July 2024.

Homeware total LFL sales dropped by -3.32% this week from a base of +2.82% for the same week last year, symbolising the category’s sixth negative result in the last ten weeks.

Store homewares LFL sales slipped by -4.05% from a good base of +7.16% for the same week last year, signifying the category’s fourth negative outcome in the last ten weeks.

Total in-store LFL sales decreased by -0.42% from a healthy base of +5.89% for the same week last year. Total non-store LFL sales jumped by +8.80% from a strong base of +30.07% for the same week last year.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “Total store sales fell into negative territory this week following five straight weeks of good results, with lifestyle the sole in-store category to return a positive outcome. Non-store sales continued a growth trend, with this week’s result marking the channel’s tenth consecutive positive result.

“The UK’s weather was unseasonally cool this week with strong winds and spells of wet weather causing soggy and gloomy conditions.  The weather during the same week last year saw a mix of sunny spells, overcast and sporadic showers.”

Overall footfall declined by -3.3% compared to the same week last year. High street footfall sank by -5.2% as shopping centres recorded a drop of -3.2%. Although flat, retail park footfall recorded a slight increase of +0.7%.