Spring is in the air for the High Street as sales rise
There is an upbeat mood on the high street as sunnier weather helped boost high street sales.
Figures from the BDO High Street Sales Tracker for the week ending 7th March show overall sales up almost 10 per cent (9.2%) on the same week last year.
Non-fashion +5.2%
Results remained positive with many stores reporting stronger trade in the run up to Mother’s Day. Demand for general leisure goods was softer, while luxury was also subdued.
Fashion +10.9%
The brighter weather appeared to have a positive impact on most stores, with impressive gains made in most categories and impulse spending on spring ranges buoyant. Footwear and formalwear made the largest gains, while accessories and lingerie were also notably stronger.
Homewares +7.1%
Homeware had a good week, admittedly helped by weak comparisons, with demand in most areas up. Furniture sales improved significantly, while sales of general household items, such as linen, glass and cookware were also higher.
Non-store +46.3%
The recent good run across non-store channels continued with the vast majority of stores recording double-digit growth.
Don Williams, Head of Retail at BDO LLP commented: “Shoppers were out on the high street in force to stock up on Spring clothing ranges but sales through non-store channels such as the internet also shot up by almost half on the same period last year.
“The combination of the run-up to Mother’s Day and the start of sunny weather meant another great week for Britain’s high street retailers.”
