The boss of Dunelm, the British homewares giant, says he is looking forward to its stores reopening after months of lockdown.
The company’s entire estate of 174 stores have been closed for the last three months, although it has continued to offer click and collect.
Its 13 Scottish stores were allowed to open on Monday, and the business expects all of its 156 stores in England and Wales to re-open on April 12.
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Chief executive Nick Wilkinson said: “In a quarter when we were largely unable to open our stores, it has been very encouraging to see the strength of our digital channels which have enabled us to cover over 83 per cent of sales from the same period last year.
“This resilient performance is testament to the commitment and dedication of our teams, who continue to adapt and innovate the Dunelm customer proposition.
“We are now looking forward to re-opening, with colleagues ready to welcome back customers through our doors.
“We have worked hard to rebuild inventory levels and our stores are well stocked across our extensive product range.
“The entire Dunelm team is excited to be able to offer our full proposition once again.
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“With all stores soon to be fully open, combined with our ever improving digital offering, we look forward to helping our customers to create a little more joy in their homes and gardens this summer.”
New figures show overall sales down around 17 per cent since Boxing Day, compared to a year earlier, at almost £237 million.
Those revenues pretty much all came from online sales which have more than trebled since the start of the first lockdown.
They also came despite strong competition from supermarkets and chains such as The Range which were allowed to remain open during the latest lockdown.
In a quarterly trading update Dunelm, which is based in Syston, Leicestershire, said: “The strength of our digital proposition, operating through home delivery and click & collect services, allowed us to cover over 83 per cent of prior year sales.
“Whilst we are pleased with our performance during the quarter given the restricted trading conditions, we note that the homewares market has continued to remain strong.
“As a result of our retail estate being closed, we have underperformed the market during the quarter, reflecting that other retailers selling homewares have been classified as “essential” and have remained open.”
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The update said Dunelm was still investing in new stores and refits, with its newest branch in Newcastle-Under-Lyme and an extended store in Banbury opening next week in line with the lifting of restrictions.
The Staffordshire store will feature a ‘make & mend’ department, to encourage product repair and re-use, as well as an extended home decorating offer.
Dunelm expects to be able to offer click and collect services in Northern Ireland from Monday, April 12, but is still waiting for guidance on when stores there can fully re-open.