Homeware sales return to growth on the high street, while footfall declined at the start of August.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose by 2.75% for the week ending 6 August 2023.

Homeware total LFLs increased by +1.93% from a negative base of -0.60% for the same week last year, denoting the category’s second positive result in the last four weeks and its tenth so far in 2023.

Store sales for homeware jumped by +10.98% from a base of +10.05% for the same week last year, marking the category’s sixth consecutive positive result since the first week of July and its twenty-fifth so far in 2023.

Total in-store LFL sales rose by +5.21% from a base of +12.82% for the same week last year. Total non-store LFL sales increased by +1.44% from a positive base of +4.65% for the same week last year.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “Total LFL sales recorded its first positive result in the last three weeks thanks to upward growth in total in-store and non-store sales.

“The first week of August was typified by grey and murky weather with pockets of brighter conditions and isolated showers. During the same week last year, the UK experienced warm and sunny conditions with some heavy clouds.”

Overall footfall saw a meagre increase of +0.3% compared to the equivalent week last year. Retail parks saw the highest footfall growth this week, climbing up by +4.8%. Shopping centre footfall equally grew by +4.5%, while high street footfall saw a decline of -3.9%.