10th Sep 2015 06:33
LONDON (Alliance News) - Dunelm Group PLC on Thursday said its pretax profit rose in its last financial year on the back of stronger sales, and it left the door open for further special dividends in the current year as it hiked its final payout.
The FTSE 250-listed homewares retailer said its pretax profit for the 53 weeks to July 4 was up to GBP122.6 million, while its pretax profit for the 52 weeks to June 7 was GBP121.4 million. This compares to a pretax profit of GBP116.0 million for the 52 weeks to June 8, 2014.
The company said its 53-week revenue was GBP835.8 million, while 52-week revenue was GBP822.7 million, compared to GBP730.2 million for the 52-week 2014 financial year. Like-for-like in-store growth for the 52-week period was 3.4%, while home delivery sales were up 55% and the group added 12 new stores to its portfolio over the year.
Dunelm said it will maintain its investment in its marketing functions in the current financial year, with an increased focus on digital channels, following the launch of a new customer-facing web proposition in July.
The group said it will pay a final dividend of 16.0 pence per share, up from 15.0 pence per share a year earlier, meaning its total dividend rises to 21.5 pence from 20.0 pence. The company also paid a 70.0 pence special dividend during the financial year and said it will consider doing this again if its net debt multiple remains below 0.25 times earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation.
"It has been a busy and very successful year at Dunelm and the business is in better shape than ever with good momentum and clear plans for further growth," said Chief Executive Will Adderley, who will leave Dunelm at the end of the year to be replaced by John Browett.
By Sam Unsted; [email protected]; @SamUAtAlliance
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