Total LFL retail sales increased by +1.45% over the week ended 23rd February 2025, reports BDO, failing to shake off a negative base of -6.66% for the same week last year.
In a week that included the spring half-term break for many schools in the UK, sales in bricks-and-mortar venues and online retail saw positive outcomes – total store LFL sales grew +2.60% from a negative base of -6.45% for the same week last year, while total non-store LFL sales ticked up just +0.22%, failing to offset a negative base of -2.75% for the same week in 2024.
Homewares total LFLs sank by -3.15% from a negative base of -10.95% for the same week in 2024, marking the category’s first negative result following 12 consecutive weeks of positive outcomes. Store homewares sales dropped -8.16% from a base of -6.78% for the same week last year, signifying the category’s first negative outcome after three consecutive positive weeks.
The week saw a mix of wet, windy and mild conditions, with the latter part of the week witnessing heavy rains and strong winds in many parts. The same week last year saw heavy downpours and strong winds amidst a drop in temperature levels.
Overall, footfall climbed by +4.9%, driven by strong shopping centre footfall outcomes (+7.4%), while the high street and retail parks saw footfall rise by +4.8% and +2.4% respectively.
