// DFS says all English, Welsh and Republic of Ireland showrooms are currently closed under lockdown measures but deliveries will continue.
// Furniture retailer says it would temporarily transfer some showroom staff to support remote web sales.
// DFS adds that it doesn’t expect closures to impact trading in first half
In a Covid-19 update posted on Thursday, DFS said manufacturing and deliveries would continue, despite all of its showrooms in England, the Republic of Ireland and Wales being closed.
The furniture retailer said that under current legislation it has now closed all 169 of its showrooms in England until December 2.
DFS’ seven Welsh showrooms are due to open back up again on November 9, after 16 days of closure in the country.
The business’ five Irish showrooms will reopen on December 1 after six weeks of closure.
READ MORE: DFS swings to full year loss as Covid-19 lockdown affects trading
DFS said its website would remain open for business and that based on previous experience of the first lockdown, it expects its online trading to improve during November.
The retailer said it would also be temporarily transferring its showroom colleagues to other areas of the business, such as remotely assisting customers with web purchases.
DFS said it would continue to manufacture, deliver and install orders safely into customer homes in all territories.
The business said that given its strong order bank levels and delivery lead times, it doesn’t expect the period of closures to materially impact revenues and profitability for the first half of its financial year, which will run to December 27.
DFS will update on trading during its first half year on January 12.
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