Business Highlights
Continued focus on three part growth strategy - growing like for like sales, rolling out new stores, and growing our home delivery channel - with eight core projects now in place to deliver this
Solid progress in LFL store sales, underpinned by strong performance from curtains and bedding, particularly our new Kids range
On-going store portfolio expansion, with future focus now increasingly on London
Further strong growth in home delivery of 24.4% with growth starting to accelerate following new web platform launch last year
Dividends
Interim dividend increased by 9.1% to 6.0p per share (FY15: 5.5p per share)
Special distribution of 31.5p per share (totalling £63.9m), in line with capital structure policy and reflecting continued strong cash generation
John Browett, Chief Executive Officer, said:
"It is a really exciting time to be at Dunelm - a business built on a strong foundation of exciting product and design, unrivalled knowledge of the homewares market, a low-cost store network, great people and investment in systems.
"Our focus remains on growing the business for the longer term. After making good progress so far, we are continuing to work towards our three part growth strategy and are now focused on eight core projects that will enable us to achieve this. This will allow us to improve our business substantially for our customers and, as we increase both our store network around London and our online presence, to develop Dunelm into a truly national homewares brand.
"After a solid performance in the first half, we had a strong sale after Christmas and we expect further good progress in the remainder of the year."
