Homeware sales remained in negative territory on the high street, while footfall delivered double-digit growth for a sixth straight week.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose by 10.20% for the week ending 29 January 2023.

Homeware total LFLs slipped by 2.34% from a positive base of +39.47% for the same week last year, marking the category’s fifth consecutive negative result.

Instore homeware sales increased by +8.69% from a rebounding base of +92.08% for the same week last year, indicating the category’s fourth consecutive positive LFL result.

Total in-store LFL sales climbed by +17.78% from a base of +3,085.07% for the equivalent week in 2022. The overblown base figure appears to be so as a result of exceptionally low base results in the corresponding week in 2021 when bricks-and-mortar venues were closed during the third national lockdown. Total non-store LFL sales grew by +2.56% from a negative base of -10.13% in the same week last year.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “Total LFL sales continued a steady run supported by positive performance across segments in bricks-and-mortar venues. While total non-store LFL sales remained positive this week, it failed to offset its base result for a second consecutive week.

“This week saw a mixture of weather conditions with southern parts experiencing cold air, freezing blasts and frosty conditions caused by Arctic winds, while the north witnessed milder conditions with fog and drizzle. The same week last year experienced mild conditions across the UK, but many northern areas were subjected to unstable conditions caused by Storm Malik.”

Overall footfall rose by +10.3% this week compared to the equivalent week in 2022. Footfall on the high street climbed by +14.4%, while shopping centres saw positive footfall growth of +10.1%. Retail park footfall increased by +1.8%, marking its fourth consecutive week of positive growth.