Homeware sales remained in negative territory on the high street, while footfall was boosted by the warmer weather.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales fell by 1.69% for the week ending 25 June 2023.

Homeware total LFLs declined by 0.38% from an already negative base of 10.80% for the same week last year, signifying the category’s twentieth negative result so far in 2023.

Store sales for homeware were negative for a third consecutive week, falling by 3.56% from a weak base of 7.19% for the same week last year, marking the category’s seventh negative result so far in 2023.

Total in-store LFL sales climbed by +3.41% from a positive base of +18.79% for the same week last year. Following three weeks of positive growth, total non-store LFL sales fell into negative territory, diving by -7.43%, from base of +15.04% for the same week last year.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “The UK experienced hot conditions this week, continuing the heatwave from the previous week. The week’s sweltering conditions, which were interspersed with rain in some parts of the UK, culminated in the hottest day of the year so far. The same week last year was hot mid-week with temperatures up in the mid to high twenties while the weekend brought light rainfall in some parts of the UK.”

Overall footfall rose by +4.9% compared to the same week last year. Perhaps encouraged by the warm weather, high streets enjoyed the strongest growth in footfall, up +7.1% year-on-year, with shopping centre foot traffic increasing more modestly, up +4.5% compared to the same week last year. Retail park footfall was flat, up just +0.6% compared with the same week in 2022.