Report Summary

Period covered: 06 July – 02 August 2025

3 minute read

Note: This report summary is one or two months behind the current month as standard reporting practice. The content is indicative only and incomplete with certain data undisclosed. Become a member to access this data or take out a free 30 day membership trial now.

Homewares sales

Homewares sales rose by xx% year-on-year in July, below the xx% growth recorded a year ago. This marked an improvement on June’s performance and came in above the three-month average of xx%. Key drivers that affected this performance include:

Sunny weather: A warm sunny start to the month helped boost spending on essentials. Across the month, the UK recorded a mean temperature of xx °C, xx °C above the long-term average, making it the fifth warmest July on record. Minimum temperatures were especially notable, ranking as the second highest on record.

Seasonal lift: Barbecues, family gatherings, and summer entertaining drove spend on tableware, drinkware, and decorative touches.

Affordable upgrades: Shoppers focused on functional, mid-range products - items that refreshed interiors without major outlay.

Substitution from travel: Some households that skipped or shortened holidays redirected discretionary spend to small home upgrades.

Channel strength: Online remained key for inspiration and convenience, while retail parks and destination stores captured most of the physical footfall.

Category performance

Kitchenware: Cookware, tableware, and dining accessories benefited from summer socialising. Barbecue-related lines and outdoor dining sets were popular during the heatwave at the start of the month.

Household textiles: Cushions, throws, and towels saw steady demand, often purchased as affordable refreshes for living spaces. Bedding held firm, with early back-to-university shopping providing a small boost in late July.

Decorative accessories: Candles, vases, and home fragrance products recorded solid sales, helped by lifestyle-driven purchasing and seasonal merchandising.

Lighting: Functional lighting and decorative outdoor options performed well, with fairy lights and garden lanterns particularly popular for evening entertaining.

Higher-ticket homewares: Branded cookware, luxury bedding, and premium home décor were slower to move unless discounted, reinforcing consumer preference for affordability.

Footfall patterns

Retail parks remained the strongest channel for homewares, attracting families combining shopping with leisure. Destination retailers with wide ranges and experiential layouts also benefited. High street independents struggled with weaker casual traffic, relying heavily on loyal shoppers. Online channels continued to grow steadily, supported by visual merchandising tools and the popularity of click-and-collect.

Outlook

Homewares remains a steady retail category, with July showing modest, consistent growth. Seasonal demand, affordability, and functional value drive performance, while back-to-university shopping and autumn ranges aim to build momentum through accessible pricing and seasonal themes. A stabilising housing market may offer support, but growth will stay incremental. For now, the sector delivers reliability, reasonable gains, resilient demand, and consumers seeking affordable ways to refresh the home.

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GDP forecast cut down to rise by 1.0% in 2025, down from 2.0% previously