Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Dunelm’s apparently unstoppable run of growth went into reverse in the half year to January 1.
Like-for-like sales at the homewares chain fell 1.2%, with growth of 2.1% in the first quarter cancelled out by a decline of 4.2% in the second as the snowy conditions prevented shoppers from getting to Dunelm’s mostly out-of-town stores.
The 1.2% drop compared with a 15.4% rise in the same period last year.
Overall, though, the group grew sales 8.5% to £275.7m from last year’s £254.2m, with superstores opened in seven new locations during the half year, including the relocation of an under-sized superstore in Hereford. Dunelm now trades from 100 superstores, the 100th having been opened last month.
The retailer said it remained confident in its prospects for long-term growth but was still cautious about expectations for the second half.
