Dunelm set to beat full-year expectations after sales boost

Homeware retailer Dunelm expects to beat analyst’s full-year profit expectations after the firm reported a higher-than-expected sales boost.

Dunelm reported that total like-for-like revenue was up 12.5 per cent to £264.6m in the first three months of 2019.

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Sales in bricks-and-mortar stores were up 9.8 per cent to £225.9m, while online revenue soared by 32.1 per cent to £38.7m.

During the quarter the company began a 12-month sponsorship partnership with ITV’s flagship programme This Morning and boosted its use of digital technology, such as selling products on in-store tablets.

There were no store closures or openings during the quarter, however, Dunelm expects to open a new branch and relocate one shop before the end of the financial year.

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Dunelm chief executive Nick Wilkinson said: “The strong growth in the third quarter reflects our ongoing focus on attracting more customers to the brand and giving them more reasons to shop with us through great product and service buoyed by a positive homewares market.

“Our multichannel proposition is improving all the time and we are excited about the opportunities ahead of us as we continue to invest in and develop our digital capabilities.”