Fashion grows on both channels as online leads for a third week

UK fashion delivered a strong, broad-based week, growing on both channels against demanding prior-year comparisons, with online leading the category for a third week running. Fashion total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose +6.43% against a positive +5.67% base a year earlier, according to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker — genuine growth built on an already-strong comparison.

Online remained the engine. Non-store fashion jumped +12.80% against a demanding +9.29% base, extending the autumn shift toward online that has defined the category since late September. Growth on top of a near-double-digit comparison points to real underlying demand rather than a soft-base rebound.

Store fashion also returned to healthy growth, up +4.55% against a +6.05% base. After a softer spell as footfall dipped, the in-store channel firmed up again, helped by a broad recovery in high street visitor numbers — leaving both channels firmly positive for the first time in weeks.

Across the wider high street, total LFL sales rose +5.15%, a third consecutive week of growth from a +3.41% base, with all three retail categories advancing. Total store sales grew +2.28%, while total non-store sales rose +8.85% against a +4.40% base.

Springboard footfall increased +2.5% overall, with every location type positive — retail parks up +4.5%, shopping centres +3.1% and the high street +1.2%. The return of shoppers across all formats underpinned the week's gains.

Settled, mild and largely dry weather across much of England supported trading, with only north-western areas seeing wetter spells. With both channels growing against demanding comparisons, fashion enters late October with genuine momentum.