UK High Street sales fall
After a great run of sales across the board, like-for-like sales fell in key categories last week, according BDO High Street Sales Tracker.
Figures from the Sales Tracker for the week ending 16th April show overall sales down by 3.3% on the same week last year.
Non-fashion -9.6%
Sales turned negative across the board, with gifting suffering the steepest decline. Health and beauty and luxury were also subdued.
Fashion –2.4%
The positive run of results across fashion came to an end with negative results reported for the first time since January. Trade was adversely affected by the strong comparisons from last year.
Homewares +4.9%
Homeware retailers enjoyed a fourth consecutive week of positive results, albeit flattered by weak comparisons. Furniture sales were particularly strong.
Non-store (mail order, online) +63%
Sales made through non-store channels soared with fashion-related sales exceptionally buoyant.
Don Williams, Head of Retail at BDO LLP commented: “Easter has a significant influence on a number of categories so it was no surprise to see results tumble when it fell earlier than usual this year. Non-fashion sales in particular slipped, with takings falling by near double-digit levels. The property market has also started to recover, with more people putting their houses on the market. As a result of this, we expect we will start to see an uplift in the homeware results over the coming weeks as people tackle DIY projects, readying their houses for sale.”
