Homeware sales in the High Street experienced a decline for the first time in 12 weeks, as reported by the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker. For the week ending 23 February 2025, homeware sales saw a -3.15% drop in like-for-like (LFL) sales, reversing the positive trend from the same period in 2024, when LFL sales had been down by -10.95%. This marks the first negative result for the category after a strong run of consecutive gains.
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In-store homeware sales fell by -8.16%, compared to a -6.78% decline during the same week last year. This also ended a streak of three consecutive positive weeks for the sector. While total store LFL sales grew by +2.60%, driven by a positive performance in other categories, non-store sales only increased marginally by +0.22%, failing to offset the negative base from the previous year.
BDO noted that the week in question included the Spring half-term break in the UK, with mixed weather conditions influencing consumer behaviour. Despite the negative results for homeware, footfall across retail locations saw an overall increase of +4.9%, with shopping centres experiencing a significant rise of +7.4%, and high streets and retail parks seeing increases of +4.8% and +2.4%, respectively.
These figures reflect a mixed retail environment, as factors such as weather and school holidays influenced both in-store and online sales across various sectors.
Source: www.bigfurnituregroup.com