Fashion jumps as online surges again: UK BDO weekly sales

UK fashion posted a strong week, driven for a second week running by its online channel, as a broad high street surge in non-store sales lifted the category well clear of its prior-year comparison. Fashion total like-for-like (LFL) sales rose +4.84% against a positive +2.49% base a year earlier, according to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker.

Online was again the engine. Non-store fashion jumped +14.50% against a demanding +9.55% base — strong growth on a tough comparison, and part of a market-wide online boom that saw total non-store sales rise +17.23% across the high street.

Store fashion grew more modestly, up +1.75%, though against a negative -0.90% base a year earlier. With high street footfall falling sharply, in-store trade was subdued and the week's momentum ran firmly through online channels.

Across the wider high street, total LFL sales rose +5.10% from a +1.32% base, with all three retail categories in growth. Total store sales edged up +1.18%, while total non-store sales had an exceptional week at +17.23% against a +4.43% base.

Springboard footfall fell -1.5% overall, dragged by the high street at -4.3%, with shopping centres flat and retail parks up +3.0%. That strong sales rose as store visits fell underlines how far the week's growth was driven online.

The weather turned over the week, from unusually warm early-October conditions in southern England to distinctly autumnal rain and thundery showers further north. After a summer led by stores, fashion's growth is now firmly online-driven as the season turns and shoppers move to buying from home.