Homeware sales rose on the high street once again, while overall sales returned to growth.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose by 4.26% for the week ending 24 December 2023.

Homeware total LFLs rose by +2.70% from a positive base of +7.45% for the same week last year, signifying the category’s third positive result in the last four weeks.

Store sales for homeware grew by +4.45% from a base of +43.82% for the same week last year, indicative of the category’s ninth positive result in the last 10 weeks.

Total in-store LFL sales slightly decreased by -0.74%, but from a very strong of +41.84% for the same week last year. Total non-store LFL sales catapulted by +26.80% from a moderate base of +2.60% for the same week last year.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “Following six consecutive weeks of poor outcomes, total LFL sales saw healthy growth in the run-up to Christmas thanks to strong non-store sales which helped boost total outcomes across all three retail segments.

“The UK saw a mix of weather in the run-up to Christmas with drier conditions in the south while parts of the north experienced wet and windy weather and northernmost areas saw snow and ice. The weather for the same week last year was wet and gusty with snow and ice covering northern parts of the country.”

Overall footfall jumped by +11.8% compared to the equivalent week last year. High street and retail park footfall both saw double digit growth with increases of +13.8% and +11.2% respectively, signifying the highest result for retail parks this year. Shopping centre footfall climbed by +8.4% compared to the same week in 2022.