Dunelm 'remains resilient' despite sales dip

Published on Tuesday 8 July 2008 21:50

DUNELM, the homeware retailer, yesterday stressed its resilience in a downturn, despite posting its first quarterly sales dip for nearly two years.

The chain, which has 89 stores and is focused on the value end of its market, said like-for-like sales fell by 2.4 per cent during the three months to 28 June. It is the group's first decline following seven consecutive quarters of sales growth.

Will Adderley, chief executive and son of the firm's founders, Bill and Jean, said: "Whilst many home-related retailers are feeling an impact from negative macro-economic factors, Dunelm is more resilient".

The company recently said average spend per transaction was "relatively low" at under 30, with customers able to trade up or down in its stores.

Dunelm's shares closed down 6 per cent at 117p.