According to the BDO's weekly High Street Sales Tracker, total LFL sales declined by -3.72% this week, from a positive base of +6.31% for the same week last year.
Negative LFL outcomes for both store and non-store channels resulted in this week’s poor total LFL sales growth.
This week’s total in-store sales result represents the lowest since the final week of April, while this week marks the poorest outcome for total non-store sales since early March. Total in-store sales fell by -4.51% from a base of +0.32% for the same week last year, while total non-store sales slipped by -3.16% from a solid base of +17.33% for the same week in 2023.
"The weather this week was a mixed bag, marked by chillier conditions with strong winds and patchy clouds as well as fog and hazy autumnal sunshine," states BDO. "The same week last year experienced largely unsettled and dull weather with cold temperatures and heavy clouds."
Overall footfall dropped by -1.0% this week compared to the corresponding week last year, states BDO: "Shopping centres saw a steep drop of -5.2%, while retail parks recorded a decline of -1.1%. In contrast, high street footfall saw a slight increase of +1.0%."
In homewares, total LFL sales decreased by -2.79% this week from a positive base of +5.48% for the same week last year, indicating the 25th negative result in 2024 for the category. Store sales for homewares reduced by -3.28% from a good base of +8.12% from the same week in 2023, marking the category’s 23rd negative result in 2024.
