// Dunelm posts sales rise thanks to “pent up demand”
// The retailer benefited from the timing of its summer sale after “strong” trading in August
Dunelm has reported a sales rise as post-lockdown sales began to rise thanks to “pent up demand”, putting its financial performance for the year ahead of expectations.
The homewares retailer said that sales rose by 59 per cent in July after customers flocked to stores following the reopening of its store estate.
It also benefited from the timing of its summer sale after reporting “strong” trading in August, which saw like for like sales grow 24 per cent.
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“The sales rise reflects the strength of our proposition within a resilient homewares market, positive footfall growth to our mainly out-of-town superstores and continued strong growth in our home delivery offer,” Dunelm said.
Despite market uncertainty, Dunelm said its performance was “materially ahead of initial expectations”.
Dunelm said it remained “confident in our ability to adapt to the environment and well-positioned to continue to grow market share”.
Last month, Dunelm reported declining sales after sales in its fourth quarter slumped 29 per cent due to store closures while online sales almost doubled during the 16 weeks to June 27, rising 85 per cent.
Moreover, Dunelm had made losses during April and May and said full-year sales were down 3.9 per cent to £1.05 billion.
The retailer closed its stores and online operations on March 24 but has reopened all of its shops in phases over the past three months.
Dunelm will publish its preliminary results on September 10.
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