Fashion grows as high street's 11-week streak ends

UK fashion returned to growth last week and outperformed a wider high street that slipped into the red for the first time in nearly three months. Fashion total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose +0.81%, according to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker — modest, but measured against a demanding +10.81% base a year earlier, and achieved even as total high street sales fell.

Store fashion led the way once again, up +6.22% against a strong +7.81% base. The in-store channel that has anchored the category throughout the summer carried it again, delivering solid growth against a tough comparison.

Online was essentially flat, with non-store fashion edging up just +0.07% against an exceptional +14.49% base a year earlier. That was closer to holding ground against an extraordinary comparison than genuine growth, but it avoided the declines seen earlier in the summer.

The wider high street lost momentum. Total LFL sales dipped -0.10%, ending 11 consecutive weeks of growth, against a strong +7.59% base — meaning fashion outperformed the overall market this week, having lagged it in recent weeks. Total store sales stayed firm at +3.27%, a tenth straight week of growth, while total non-store sales fell -0.77%. The week took in the summer bank holiday and the gradual return of schools.

Springboard footfall rose +1.3% overall, led by retail parks at +2.4%, with shopping centres and the high street also positive.

Weather fronts brought cooler, cloudier and wetter conditions, heaviest in the north and west, while the south and east stayed drier. Fashion heads into autumn growing against demanding comparisons and ahead of a wider market that has begun to cool.