Dunelm plans to step up online growth as half-year profits rise
DUNELM, the homewares retailer, said it plans to step up the expansion of its online business this year as it posted a strong rise in sales and profits in the first half of the year.
The Leicester-based group, which trades as Dunelm Mill, said it plans to open a new warehouse for online orders, which now account for around four per cent of revenues. Profit before tax increased 14.6 per cent to £59.8m in the six months to 29 December compared with £52.2m the previous year. Revenues rose by 13 per cent while sales at stores open at least a year rose by 2.2 per cent.
The group,which began as a market stall business in 1979 selling ready-made curtains, has 133 stores after opening 10 new “superstores” in the period, with a further six sites committed.