Homeware sales were down on the high street, ending an eighth straight week of positive growth.

According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose 7.86% for the week ending 4 January 2026.

Homewares total LFLs slipped by -0.47% from a positive base of +9.34% for the same week last week, indicating the category’s first negative result after eight consecutive positive weeks.

Store homewares sales grew by +4.45% from a base of +12.00%, marking the category’s fourth positive outcome in the past five weeks, while non-store sales for homewares went up by +2.85% from a base of +2.77%.

Total store LFL sales jumped by +10.38% from a base of +15.16% for the same week last year. Total non-store LFL sales rose by +7.90% from a base of +19.12% for the same week last year.

Commenting on the results, BDO said: “In the week that concluded 2025 with New Year’s Eve celebration and started 2026 with the New Year’s bank holiday, total LFL sales remained in positive territory, with fashion enjoying double-digit growth both in-store and online.

“This week was characterised by a sharp transition from settled, chilly conditions to a significant arctic cold spell that ushered in 2026 with widespread snow and ice. The same week was predominantly unsettled with heavy rain and strong winds across much of the country.”

Overall footfall climbed by +7.0% compared to the same week last year. High street footfall jumped by +8.1%, while retail parks and shopping centres saw increases of +6.0% and +5.7% respectively.