Lifestyle total like for like sales grew +64.3% in April amid non essential retail re-opening.
Retailers reported record results across fashion, lifestyle and homeware in April, according to BDO, as non essential stores were allowed to open their doors.
It also appears that online sales saw sustained growth during the month, suggesting that shifts in consumer behaviour are ‘sticking’.
BDO’s High Street Sales Tracker found that non-store like for like sales grew +28.2% in April, from a base of +109.6% last year, reported Retail Sector, a “remarkable result” given last year’s record increase in online spending during the first lockdown.
Meanwhile, total like for like sales, both in-store and non-store, increased sixfold in April, although from a weak base of -29.6% for the equivalent month in 2020.
Lifestyle total like for like sales saw an impressive +64.3% growth in April – although this was from a base of -40.1% for the equivalent month last year. The result marked the second straight month of positive like for like sales for total lifestyle, as well as the first time since October 2020 that every week recorded positive results.
Fashion total like for like sales, meanwhile, increased +84.2% (from a base of -31.4% for April 2020).
“April’s results reflect a timely shift in the consumer mindset, with pent-up demand and renewed confidence providing a euphoric reopening for the high street,” commented Sophie Michael, head of retail and wholesale at BDO. “The figures also illustrate a clear shift in consumer behaviour with online sales holding up strongly even as shops reopened. Some retailers may well have experienced significantly higher online figures than in store, despite opening their physical stores.
“This demonstrates the importance of continuing to focus across all channels and ensuring that they are viewed as one when engaging with the customer.”
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