Bensons for Beds is to open 40 new stores over the next two years, following strong sales in the quarter to the end of March.

The bed and mattress retailer posted a 9% jump in sales against strong comparables and now plans to expand its retail estate. 

Bensons operates 160 stores nationwide and intends to “re-enter markets and open in new catchments” while growing its estate to 200 locations.

In the quarter, Bensons opened new units in Erdington and Peterborough and will be returning to Speke’s New Mersey Retail Park this month. 

The retailer also posted improved online sales for the second quarter, growing revenue from the digital channel by 32% year on year, which it said was driven by investment in its omnichannel capability. 

Following its acquisition of Eve Sleep last year and the relaunch of its website in March, sales of Eve products have so far been “encouraging”, according to the group. A  range of Eve Sleep products is also now available to buy from Bensons’ physical stores. 

Bensons for Beds chief executive Nick Collard said: “This has been a quarter of real innovation and pace for the team.

“Despite the UK’s economic challenges, it’s clear our investment in our stores, online and in product innovation is being warmly received by our customers. I’d like to thank the team at Bensons for their hard work moving our transformation plans forward at speed over the quarter.

“That momentum means we’re on track to return to deliver our plans for the year.”