Home and housewares retailer Dunelm – whose giftware suppliers include Candlelight – saw total sales increase by 59% for the first seven weeks of its fourth quarter (commencing March 28 2021). The retailer said sales growth had been ‘very strong’, with the company performing significantly ahead of the market in the five weeks since re-opening on April 12.
“In a quarter when we were largely unable to open our stores, it has been very encouraging to see the strength of our digital channels which have enabled us to cover over 83% of sales from the same period last year,” commented Dunelm’s chief executive Nick Wilkinson.
There was positive growth from online and Click & Collect, with other factors driving sales including a pent up consumer demand during the store closure period, and a buoyant homewares market. Unseasonably cold Spring weather was also cited as a factor.
The board expects the Dunelm Group’s 2021’s full-year profit, before tax, to be in excess of £148m.
Top: Dunelm has reported very strong sales growth since reopening on April 12.
