Total LFL high street retail sales rose by +11.30% in the week ended 29th December, from a base of -3.58% for the same week last year, which included Christmas and Boxing Day, reports BDO.
The latest data compiled shows that sales in bricks-and-mortar venues were "very positive" across all retail segments in a week that saw two bank holidays for Christmas and Boxing Day, with the lifestyle segment seeing its best total and store sales outcomes since 2022.
Total homewares LFL sales increased by +10.75% this week from a base of -13.87% for the same week last year, indicative of the category’s 25th positive result in 2024. Store sales rose by +42.98% from a base of -6.79% for the same week the previous year, indicating the category’s 24th positive result for 2024.
While footfall results were positive across the board, online sales took a tumble for all retail segments. Total in-store LFL sales skyrocketed by +23.77% from a base of +1.78%, but total non-store LFL sales sank by -17.67% from a base of -5.88% for the same week last year.
This week’s weather was mostly grey and cloudy with murky and foggy conditions accompanied by some patchy rain in northern areas. The same week last year was largely cloudy and windy, with heavy rain in parts of the UK.
Total footfall jumped by +6.6% this week compared to the equivalent week last year. Footfall to shopping centres climbed by +7.9%, while retail parks and the high street saw increments of +6.2% and +6.1% respectively, concludes BDO.
