Homeware sales were returned to growth on the high street and was the best performing category in the week.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales fell by 0.55% for the week ending 23 July 2023.

Homeware total LFLs rose by +6.02%, offsetting a negative base of 4.38% for the same week last year. This marks the category’s ninth positive result so far in 2023 and its highest since the second week of March.

Store sales for homeware soared by +20.42% from a base of +1.63% for the same week last year, denoting the category’s twenty third positive result so far in 2023 and its highest since the third week of March.

Total in-store LFL sales rose by +7.17% from a base of +16.53% for the same week last year. Total non-store LFL sales sank by -4.34% from a positive base of +6.69% for the same week last year.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “This week’s total LFL sales result, which marks the lowest since the final week of June, was dragged down by weak online sales across all segments. Homewares was the best performing segment this week, potentially driven by increased seasonal shopping for outdoor furniture and home improvements.

“The weather this week saw unseasonal conditions marked by a cooling trend with heavy clouds, strong winds and showers. The same week last year saw a heatwave sweep across the UK with fewer areas seeing overcast conditions.”

In a week which included the first weekend of school holidays across much of the UK, overall footfall grew by +2.9% compared to the equivalent week last year. With an increase of +4.1%, shopping centres saw the highest footfall growth this week, while footfall on the high street and retail parks increased by +2.7% and +2.2% respectively.