Homeware sales remained in negative territory on the high street, delivering the category’s sixteenth negative result this year.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales were down 3.72% for the week ending 21 May 2023.

Homeware total LFLs slipped by 3.70% from a base of 9.00% for the same week last year, signifying the category’s sixteenth negative result so far in 2023.

Store homeware sales fell by 6.94% from a negative base of 3.52% for the same week last year, marking the category’s first negative result following six straight weeks of positive outcomes and its third so far in 2023.

Total in-store LFL sales were up by +1.37% from a base of +28.32% for the same week last year. Total non-store LFL sales were down by -8.17% from a base of +3.67% for the same week last year.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “This week’s result for total LFLs signifies a third negative outcome within the last five weeks, as in-store sales continued a decelerating growth trend and non-store sales ended the week in the red.

“This week saw drier weather conditions with sunshine and gentle winds as well as light showers in some parts of the UK. During the same week last year, the UK was experiencing what was considered to be a mini heatwave with temperatures reaching highs of 26°C.”

Overall footfall rose by +3.8% compared to the equivalent week in 2022. High Street footfall jumped by +5.8%, after falling into negative territory the week prior. Shopping Centre footfall grew by +3.4%, while Retail Parks saw negative growth of -0.2%.