Homeware sales returned to growth on the high street, while footfall continued to be positive across all destinations.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose by 4.36% for the week ending 2 July 2023.

Homeware total LFLs were flat but saw a meagre increase of +0.04% from an already negative base of 11.63% for the same week last year, signifying the category’s seventh positive result so far in 2023.

Store sales for homeware were up by +4.06%, failing to offset a negative base of 5.04% for the same week last year. This marks the category’s twentieth positive result so far in 2023.

Total in-store LFL sales rose by +6.10% from an already strong base of +22.35% for the same week last year. Total non-store LFL sales increased by +3.79% from a base of +1.31% for the same week last year.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “Total LFLs climbed this week on the backs of positive in-store and non-store sales. Also, this week marks the first time since the third week of April that total sales were positive for all segments.

“In the last week of June, the weather was cooler than earlier in the month with some warm sunshine interspersed spells of rain. During the same week last year, the weather was generally sunny and warm alongside sparse showers.”

Overall footfall grew by +3.8% compared to the same week last year. High street footfall increased by +4.3%, while shopping centres saw a growth of +4.4%. Retail parks also saw a footfall growth of +2.0% this week.