Homeware sales returned to negative territory on the high street while footfall continued to see positive growth.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose by 2.76% for the week ending 18 September 2022.

Total Homeware LFLs slumped by 8.04% from a base of +9.32% for the same week last year, marking the category’s eighth negative result in the last nine weeks.

Instore homeware sales rose by +11.43% from a base of +14.97% for the same week last year, indicating its third consecutive positive result and its second double digit growth in a row.

Total in-store LFL sales jumped by +11.79%, from a base of +27.02% for the same week last year. Total non-store LFL sales slipped this week and were down by -2.09%, although this was from a strong base of +19.55% last year.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “Total sales remained stable this week on the back of strong in-store activities led by the fashion category. Total non-store LFLs, on the other hand, continued to trend downwards posting the category’s lowest result since March.

“This week saw chilly and cloudy conditions as temperatures dropped across the UK, marking the change of season. During the same week last year, the weather was mild with overcast conditions.”

Total in-store LFL sales were up by +10.34%, from a base of +34.70% for the same week last year. Total non-store LFL sales fell this week and were down by -7.88%, although this was from a strong base of +30.56% in 2021.

Overall footfall grew by +10.7% this week compared to the same week last year.

Footfall on the high street saw the highest growth (+14.1%) this week, while it increased by +11.5% in shopping centres and climbed by +2.7% in retail parks.