// Dunelm posts strong sales momentum thanks to 8.5% rise in active customers
// Sales were up by over 18% to £1.55bn for the 53 weeks ended 2 July
Dunelm profits jumped almost 35% in its full year as the strong performance continued in its current year.
Pre-tax profit hit £209 million over the year as sales surged 18% to £1.55 billion for the 53 weeks ended 2 July.
The homewares retailer said that sales have remained “robust” in the first 10 weeks of its new financial year.
Dunelm benefited from growth in new shoppers with a 8.5% rise in its active customers over the year.
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Dunelm expects to deliver 50% gross margin for the full year and manage costs through efficiency improvements and operational grip.
Dunelm chief executive Nick Wilkinson heralded an “excellent performance”.
He praised staff and suppliers for their “adaptability in the face of new external challenges”.
“We feel confident and well prepared to weather the current economic pressures – we emerged from an unprecedented global pandemic as a bigger, better business and we believe we have the tools in place to do that again.
“That said, the operating and economic environment is extremely challenging. In this environment, we have to make every pound count, both for ourselves through our tight operational grip and cost discipline, and for our customers, through our offer of outstanding value at all price points.
“Dunelm, at its heart, offers customers great choice and value. Now is not the time for us to shy away from that, but for us to fully embrace it; whether it’s our ‘Winter Warm’ collection or our ‘Student Essentials’ range, we think Dunelm’s unique and market-leading offer is more relevant than ever before.”
