Dunelm’s like-for-like growth moderated in its third quarter as it came up against strong comparatives from the same period last year.

Dunelm's like-for-likes have moderated in the third quarter

The homewares retailer recorded a 4.9% increase in like-for-like growth during the quarter ending March 28 as sales moderated from the 6.2% growth in the first half of the financial year. Total revenues for the quarter grew by 10.7% to £216.2m.

Dunelm chief executive Will Adderley said: “We have recorded solid sales growth over the last quarter, and we believe that we have continued to take market share on a like-for-like basis.

 “We have a strong Easter event now in progress, a powerful summer Sale to follow, and the launch of our new web platform before the end of the financial year, all of which leave us well placed to drive further sales growth through our final quarter.

“However, the full-year outcome against our ambitious internal targets will ultimately depend on the traditionally volatile summer months’ trading.”

In-store like-for-like sales grew by 2.9% to £176.2m as a result of a strong performance from Dunelm’s winter Sale and its made-to-measure service and furniture proposition.  

Home delivery sales surged by 40% during the same period to £14.1m and Dunlem expects to launch a new web platform before the end of the financial year.

Dunelm opened two new stores during the period, taking the total superstore openings in the year to eight. The retailer expects to open another four stores before the end of the financial year, taking its store estate up to 148.