Homeware retailer Dunelm has posted a 9% increase in total like-for-like revenues during the 13-week period ending 29 December, including a 5.7% increase in stores.
Dunelm also reported a 37.9% increase in online sales although the company added that it remains “cautious” over its outlook given the “ongoing uncertainty in the UK economy”.
Dunelm was founded in 1979 as a market stall business selling ready-made curtains but now operates 169 stores across the UK.
The company’s group level growth was also up 2% following the full integration of its Worldstores and Kiddicare websites which it acquired back in 2016.
Nick Wilkinson, chief executive, said: “We are pleased with our overall performance in the first half, and are helping more customers than ever to create a home they love. By focusing back on our core business, under one Dunelm brand, we are improving our trading and financial performance.
“The positive like-for-like revenue growth both in stores and online, highlights the strength of our customer offer. Our multichannel proposition is improving all the time, and we are looking forward to introducing our new web platform in the summer, using more flexible technology which will allow us to better serve our customers in a changing retail landscape.”
He added: “Despite our strong performance in the year to date, we remain cautious on the outlook for the second half given the ongoing uncertainty in the UK economy. However, in the medium term, we see significant opportunity to grow the business by focusing on our customers and seizing opportunities in a digital world.”
