Homeware sales remained in negative territory on the high street, while footfall delivered double-digit growth for a seventh straight week.
According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose by 10.17% for the week ending 5 February 2023.
Homeware total LFLs fell by -1.72% from a positive base of +16.42% for the same week last year. This was the category’s sixth consecutive negative return.
In-store homeware sales increased by +5.44%, producing the fifth consecutive positive LFL result, from a rebounding base of +82.70% for the same week last year.
Total in-store LFL sales grew by +10.95%, from a base of +3,851.36% for the equivalent week in 2022. While positive, this is the lowest store LFL total in seven weeks. The inflated base figure reflects results from exceptionally low base results in the corresponding week in 2021 when, due to pandemic lockdown restrictions, bricks-and-mortar venues were closed. Total non-store LFL sales grew by +3.70% from a negative base of -18.93% in the same week last year.
Commenting on the results, BDO said: “This week’s result continues a run of positive LFL figures supported largely by strong store sales. While total non-store LFL sales remained positive this week, it failed to offset its base result for a third consecutive week.
“The UK weather this week saw mild days with scattered clouds and showers mixed with overcast and chilly mornings. The same week last year saw low temperatures and snow across the UK resulting from Storm Darcy.”
Overall footfall rose by +11.0% this week compared to the equivalent week in 2022. High street footfall rose by +15.3%, the second highest figure of 2023, while shopping centre footfall grew by +10.9%. At +1.8%, retail park footfall remains positive, marking its fifth consecutive week of positive year-on-year growth.
