Homeware sales fell on the high street, as overall sales were down at the start of May.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose by 3.95% for the week ending 5 May 2024.

Homeware total LFL sales fell by -8.13% this week from a negative base of -14.39% for the same week last year, the thirteenth negative return for the category so far in 2024.

Store homewares LFL sales dipped by -0.09% from a modest base of +2.86% for the same week last year, signifying that the category has been in negative territory for fourteen of the eighteen weeks so far in 2024.

Total in-store LFL sales grew by +1.82% from a negative base of -1.70% for the same week last year, pulled up by healthy lifestyle LFL sales, which this week was the sole store category to return a positive result. Total non-store LFL sales grew by +6.94% from a base of -3.58% for the same week last year.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “The same week last year included the Early May Bank Holiday on Monday and culminated with the Coronation weekend that saw King Charles III crowned as the UK’s monarch.

“The UK experienced mixed conditions this week. Sunny, warm conditions delivered the hottest day so far this year, but the week ended with heavy rain and thunderstorms across much of the south of England. Similar conditions were experienced in the same week last year when some parts of the UK experienced warm and sunny conditions with temperatures climbing as high as 20°C, while some areas witnessed heavy, thundery showers and hail.”

Overall footfall ticked up by +0.6% this week when compared to the same week last year. The high street saw a modest gain, up +1.1%, while retail park traffic was flat, growing by just +0.5%. Shopping centre footfall declined for the fourth successive week, down -0.3% compared to the same week last year.