Dunelm sees sales soar by 59% following reopening

Dunelm has reported a 59% increase in sales in the seven weeks ending 9 May, despite only being able to trade for five weeks following the easing of lockdown restrictions on 12 April. 

In an update, the homewares retailer said that sales growth has been “very strong” since non-essential retail reopened – with the business also seeing good digital growth from its home delivery and ‘Click and Collect’ channels.

The retailer touted a “pent up demand” following the extended store closure period, the buoyant homewares market and some benefit from the “unseasonably cold Spring weather” as the reason for the rise in sales. 

As a result of this recent performance, the board said it expects full year profit before tax (PBT) to be “significantly ahead” of the latest range of analysts’ expectations.  

While the retailer noted that there is still some uncertainty in the short-term outlook, it said it anticipates that FY21 PBT will be in excess of £148m.

Dunelm, which is headed by Nick Wilkinson, operates across 175 sites in the UK.