Homeware sales were down on the high street, while footfall was flat.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose by 2.72% for the week ending 16 July 2023.

Homeware total LFLs declined by 1.38% from a flat base of +0.83% for the same week last year, marking the category’s twenty first negative result so far in 2023.

Store sales for homeware were up by +4.82% from a weak base of +8.65% for the same week last year, signifying the category’s twenty second positive result so far in 2023.

Total in-store LFL sales jumped by +7.38% from a strong base of +29.77% for the same week last year. Total non-store LFL sales declined by -0.79% from a positive base of +10.30% for the same week last year.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “This week’s total in-store LFL sales result marks the category’s highest since the second week of April. This week saw less summery conditions as heavy winds, showers and cooler temperatures were evident in many parts of the UK, although interspersed with sporadic sunshine. During the same week in 2022, the weather was characterised by strong sunshine with high temperatures in the thirties.”

Overall footfall was flat this week, increasing by a blip of +0.3% compared to the same week last year. Shopping centres recorded the highest footfall growth this week, climbing by +3.0% as retail parks saw a slight increase of +0.3%. High street footfall, however, declined by -1.0% compared to the equivalent week in 2022.