High Street sales figures hold up
Positive sales growth was reported across all the board this week, with homewares boosted by strong demand for DIY products, according to the High Street Sales Tracker from BDO LLP.
Overall like-for-like sales were up by 3.5 per cent.Don Williams, Head of Retail at BDO LLP says: “High street spending held up extremely well this week, even with the uncertainty around the outcome of the general election.”
“Homewares, again, performed very well despite the fact that the weather hasn’t been great. Shoppers were out on the high street, no doubt, in preparation for the coming summer months. Other areas also managed to increase sales, non-fashion in particular improved.”
Figures from the BDO High Street Sales Tracker for the week ending 9 May 2010 showed:
Non-fashion +3.8%
Non-fashion retailers enjoyed their best week since Easter with the majority of stores reporting positive results. Apart from luxury, health and beauty also performed well.
Fashion +2.6%
Fashion had a positive week, even compared to last week’s 8.4 per cent rise. Higher-end brands generally outperformed, while trade across mainstream brands was slower and more promotion driven.
Homewares +10.0%
Positive sales of recent weeks continued. However, big ticket purchases were weak in spite of some positive results arising from promotions.
Non-store (mail order, online, etc) +54.8%
Non-store sales grew at their fastest rate since the first week of the year. Most areas experienced higher demand with clothing sales especially doing well.
