Homeware sales maintained in positive territory on the high street while footfall continued to see growth.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose by 5.63% for the week ending 9 October 2022.

Homeware total LFLs jumped by +4.25%, offsetting a weak base of 2.60% for the same week last year, marking the category’s thirteenth positive result for this year.

Instore homeware grew by +5.85% from a good base of +8.35% for the same week last year, marking its twenty seventh positive result for this year.

Total in-store LFL sales were up by +4.05%, from a base of +33.07% for the same week last year. Total non-store LFL sales saw a marginal increase of +0.39% this week, but from a good base of +13.43% in 2021, marking its third consecutive positive result and lowest increase for the year.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “This week saw a flattening of total non-store LFLs as total in-store LFL sales rose helping to boost total LFLs.  While homewares and fashion posted positive total LFL sales results this week, total lifestyle fell into the red pulled down by weak non-store sales for the category.

“The weather this week saw the UK have a taste of late summer warmth with temperatures in the southern parts reaching between 17-22°C, while remaining much cooler and unsettled in places like Scotland. The same week last year saw mixed weather conditions, but predominantly chilly across most parts of the UK.”

Overall footfall was up by +5.1% this week compared to the same week last year. The high street saw the largest growth in footfall this week (+6.9%), while footfall was equally strong in shopping centres (+5.5%) and remained positive (+1.0%) in retail parks.