Homeware sales fell back into negative territory on the high street while footfall remained positive.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose by 7.25% for the week ending 13 November 2022.

Homeware total LFLs dropped by 2.99% from a positive base of +20.45% for the same week last year, indicating the category’s thirtieth negative result for this year.

Instore homeware sales increased by +2.63% from a base of +319.38% for the same week last year, marking its seventh consecutive positive result and thirty second for 2021.

Total in-store LFL sales grew by +5.71%, from a base of +689.33% for the same week last year when bricks-and-mortar sales rebounded compared to a lockdown week in 2020. Total non-store LFL sales climbed by +7.43% but from a poor base of -13.85% in 2021.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “In-store sales were positive across all retail segments this week, helping to boost total LFLs. Although total LFLs grew this week, only fashion recorded positive total LFL sales as total lifestyle and homewares were dragged down by weak online sales. Total non-store LFLs remained positive for a second consecutive week, buoyed solely by positive fashion sales.

“This week started out chilly and partly cloudy accompanied by light rain and sunshine, while the latter part of the week saw relatively warm weather. During the same week last year, the weather was autumnal with overcast conditions.”

Overall footfall climbed by +6.5% this week compared to the same week last year. With an increase +8.5%, the high street saw the largest increase in footfall this week, while shopping centres were not far behind, seeing a footfall growth of +6.5%. Footfall in retail parks grew by +2.3% this week, after being flat the week prior.