Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Dunelm achieved a 12.2% increase in sales in the 43 weeks to April 26 2008 compared to the same period in the previous financial year.
Like-for-like growth was 4.5%. In the 17 weeks since the half year, total sales have grown by 15% and like-for-likes by 3.9%.
Announcing its interim management statement, the leading out-of-town specialist homewares retailer said it had continued to gain market share on a like-for-like basis.
Gross margin performance has remained solid and the gains reported at the half year have been sustained so far in the second half.
New superstores in Leeds and Bournemouth were opened in January, with the latest being Sittingbourne on April 17, and all are trading better than expected.
Including these openings, Dunelm now has a total of 76 superstores, with a further 13 older-format high street stores.
The retailer says no more superstore openings are planned before the end of the current financial year, but leases have been signed for six units due to open in the 2009 year.
