Homewares retailer Dunelm has grown revenue by 9.9 per cent to £195.4m for the 13 weeks to 29 March 2014 as improved weather and new stores boosted trading.
The absence of snow, an improving housing market and development into its multichannel strategy lifted the retailer as like-for-like sales rose 5 per cent for the period.
Dunelm has taken a consistent and steady approach to growth and has invested in an interactive website with features personalisation and videos. It has also launched a new Product Information System which ensures stock levels are more tightly managed, while it opened a web-only fulfilment centre in Birmingham in October to expand delivery reach.
Total sales rose 3.2 per cent to £517.9m for the 39 weeks to 30 March 2014.
The firm opened 10 superstores in its financial year.
Nick Wharton, Chief Executive, commented: “Dunelm has again delivered a period of solid progress. This reflects, in part, our willingness to invest to underpin the longer-term growth of the business – including in increased advertising to build brand awareness, further enhancing our home delivery proposition, and expanding our in-home consultation service.
“These investments will continue, increasing our operating cost ratio whilst benefiting sales and further strengthening our market leading proposition.”
