Homeware sales returned to positive territory on the high street while footfall continued to see growth.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose by 11.48% for the week ending 2 October 2022.

Homeware total LFLs were up by +7.33% from a good base of 2.19% for the same week last year, marking the category’s twelfth positive result for this year and its highest since the first week of April.

Instore homeware rose by +15.36% from a positive base of +12.55% for the same week last year, marking its twenty sixth positive result for this year and the highest since the second week of April.

Total in-store LFL sales increased by +14.29%, from a strong base of +31.95% for the same week last year, denoting its highest increase since the last week of July 2022. Total non-store LFL sales jumped by +8.87% from a solid base of +22.48% in 2021, indicating its largest growth since the third week of July 2022.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “There may have been a degree of delayed spending due to bank holiday store closures in the week prior further encouraged by seasonal changes.

“While results were positive across all retail segments this week, it was most noticeable for homewares which has recorded negative total LFLs in 11 out of 14 weeks going back to the beginning of July.

“This week saw temperatures across the UK plunge with lows of 6°C accompanied by strong winds and overcast as well as rainfall in northern parts of the country. During the same week last year, the weather was largely cloudy with light rainfall.”

Overall footfall grew by +10.1% this week compared to the equivalent week last year.

Footfall on the high street increased by +14.4%, while climbing by +9.0% in shopping centres. Retail parks also saw an improvement in footfall, increasing by +1.8%.