Dunelm reports strong first quarter LFL sales

Connor Campbell, analyst at www.spreadex.com gave us this comment regarding today’s results:

"It was a healthy day for British home-furnishers; not only did DFS post record full year figures just 5 months after its IPO, buts its FTSE 250-listed rival Dunelm Group saw a 4.4% jump in like-for-like sales to £171.8 million for its fiscal first quarter. More impressive was its near 26% increase in home delivery sales, with the company’s new website (launched in July) having an immediate effect on its online presence. After an erratic few quarters of trading this report might just be the boost Dunelm needs to resume the climb it saw in the spring."

Homewares retailer Dunelm has reported a 5.5 per cent increase in like-for-like sales for the first quarter.

The chain, which has 149 stores across the UK, also said it was on track to open six further branches during the current financial year.

During the 13 weeks to 3 October, in-store takings grew 4.4 per cent on a like-for-like basis compared with a year earlier, while home delivery sales jumped 25.9 per cent, helped by the launch of a new website in July.

Chief executive Will Adderley said he expected “substantial” further online growth as the site beds down, adding: “Our sales performance was strong in the first quarter, reflecting the steps we have taken to refresh our product range, improve seasonal merchandise and to create an improved shopping experience for our customers.”

Dunelm also announced today that it has acquired the rights to the Fogarty bedding brand, which traces its roots back almost 200 years.

Source : Gareth Mackie – Scotsman.com
www.scotsman.com/business/retail/dunelm-delivers-strong-rise-in-first-quarter-sales-1-3910861