Total LFL retail sales dropped by -3.30% this week from a base of +4.69% for the same week last year, which included Halloween and Bonfire Night weekend, reports BDO.
Although total LFL sales declined this week due to weak non-store sales outcomes, store sales grew on the back of positive footfall results.
In a week that saw Halloween and early Bon Fire weekend celebrations as well as half term for many schools in the UK, lifestyle and homewares saw positive results in-store. Total in-store LFL sales grew by +1.26% from a strong base of +3.19% for the same week last year. Total non-store LFL sales declined by -5.54% from a good base of +4.88% for the same week last year.
This week’s weather was mostly grey and cloudy but dry and mild in many areas, although it was quite gusty and a bit damp in the north. For the same week last year, the UK saw weather wet and windy weather caused by thunderstorms and gusts due to Storm Ciarán.
Overall footfall jumped by +7.0% compared to the corresponding week in 2023. High street footfall saw the highest increase this week, seeing an impressive climb of +11.3%. Seeing more modest outcomes, footfall to shopping centres and retail parks rose by +2.5% and +2.4% respectively.
Total homewares LFL sales increased by +2.51% this week from a base of +5.28% for the same week last year, denoting the 19th positive result in 2024 for the category. Store sales for homewares jumped by +6.61% from a base of +4.99% from the same week in 2023 – the category’s 21st positive result in 2024.
