Dunelm, the home furnishings giant, has seen a huge jump in sales and profits as the nation gradually gets back to more normal levels of shopping.
The Leicestershire-headquartered business said pre-tax profits were up almost 45 per cent in the year to June 26, at nearly £158 million, despite stores being closed for more than a third of the period.
And chief executive Nick Wilkinson said he was confident they could manage supply chain disruption and cost pressures from raw materials, freight costs and driver shortages, without too much bother.
Overall sales were up more than a quarter in the year at £1.336 billion, with margins also up.
Dunelm said the growth was helped by online sales rising 46 per cent year-on-year on the back of 27 per cent growth the previous year.
The business said it took a further 1.6 per cent chunk of the overall 海角视频 homewares market during the year, taking its share to 9.1 per cent.
Dunelm said growth in the most recent 10 weeks had also been encouraging, including a good July summer sale in July and “continued outperformance versus the homewares market”.
It said: “This strong start to the year, showing further growth against a tough comparative period, has been better than anticipated.
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“Whilst there remains some macro level uncertainty relating to further demand and supply impacts from Covid-19, in the absence of any trading restrictions, the board expects that pre-tax profit for the 2022 financial year will be modestly ahead of the top of the range of analysts' expectations.”
Nick Wilkinson said: “We delivered an excellent performance in FY21, despite our stores being closed for more than a third of the year, demonstrating the strength and resilience of our business model and the adaptability and commitment of our colleagues and suppliers.
“The digital investments we had made enabled us to rapidly adapt to the changing environment and deliver strong growth and an improved customer experience.
“We are emerging from the pandemic as a stronger and better business, having transitioned from being a physical retailer with digital aspirations to being a proven, digital first, multichannel retailer.
"We have renewed purpose, bold ambitions and an increased opportunity to attract more customers and grow their frequency.
“We aim to be our customers' first choice for home, helping everyone to create the joy of truly feeling at home, now and for the generations to come.
“Our business plans will deliver for all our stakeholders, and include our commitment to a net-zero pathway, with an absolute reduction in emissions of 50 per cent by 2030.
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"Whilst the macro-outlook remains uncertain and we are seeing some industry-wide issues such as ongoing supply chain disruption and inflationary pressures from raw materials, freight costs and driver shortages, we feel well placed to continue managing these challenges.
"Trading in the first 10 weeks of the new financial year has been encouraging, with growth against strong comparatives and continued market outperformance."
Dunelm, which has 175 stores, mainly in out-of-town locations, was founded in 1979 by Will and Jean Adderley, selling ready-made curtains on Leicester Market.
The first shop opened in Leicester in 1984, with the first superstore opening in 1991. It now sells everything from bedding, curtains, cushions, quilts and pillows, to furniture, kitchenware, dining, lighting and decorations.
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