UK homeware sales declined for a third consecutive week in March, reflecting ongoing volatility in the furniture and interiors retail market.
According to BDO's latest High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like sales fell by -3.04% in the week ending 22 March 2026. Homewares recorded a sharper drop of -3.63%, compared with strong growth of +9.18% in the same period last year.
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Despite the overall decline, store-based homeware sales rose by +3.40%, while non-store sales saw modest growth of +2.45%. However, broader retail performance was dragged down by weaker online and lifestyle sales, with total non-store sales falling by -5.61% against a high comparative base.
BDO noted that subdued online demand played a key role in the downturn, even as physical retail showed signs of resilience.
Footfall data from Springboard offered a more positive signal, with overall visits rising by +3.3%. High streets saw the strongest growth at +4.2%, followed by retail parks (+3.6%) and shopping centres (+1.3%).
For the furniture and interiors sector, the figures highlight a shifting retail dynamic, where in-store engagement is improving but overall demand remains pressured by cautious consumer spending and uneven online performance.
Source: www.bigfurnituregroup.com
