Join our community of smart investors

Dunelm continues to capitalise on home improvement boom

Strengthened market share and a focus on 'value' homewares should to stand Dunelm in good stead as household budgets come under pressure from inflation
February 9, 2022
  • Homewares vendor sees double-digit sales and profits growth
  • Market share gains continue to outpace rivals

The home improvement boom has continued in earnest at Dunelm (DNLM). Strong sales of homewares and furniture in the six months to Christmas prompted the retailer to announce a second special dividend in as much time. 

The furniture seller, which operates 175 shops in the UK, prospered over the pandemic as consumers upped spending on their homes, and diverted cash away from foreign travel and hospitality. 

Sales were particularly strong over the winter sale period, up 13 per cent in the three months to 25 December compared with the previous year, when coronavirus restrictions over Christmas had led the retailer to aggressively discount products. 

A higher proportion of full-price sales boosted the profit margin this year, and management now expects pre-tax profits for the full year to be almost a third higher than they were in 2021 – in line with analysts’ upgraded forecasts of £206mn in the full year.

Dunelm’s market share growth has been a major strength in recent years, as the company continued to benefit from the collapse of indebted high-street rivals such as Debenhams.

The company has far outstripped the overall market for homewares, furniture and decorative DIY, which has grown in low single digits over the past decade, only speeding up slightly over the past two years to a compound annual growth rate of 2.2 per cent. 

Dunelm has enjoyed a 12 per cent compound annual growth rate over the past two years, and 10 per cent over the past five years. Customer numbers rose to 13mn in 2021, up by 3mn in the past five years, supported by the relaunch of Dunelm’s online presence in 2019. Digital sales now account for a third of all revenues, and a recently opened ecommerce centre in Stoke should give scope for further growth.

The biggest concern for the coming year will be whether Dunelm can keep up with inflationary pressures. With consumer spending growth slowing in January due to higher costs of living, this could reduce the amount households are willing to spend on their homes. Still, as a retailer with a focus on value, broker Peel Hunt views Dunelm as a potential “net beneficiary” of tightening consumer wallets. 

Russell Pointon, director of the consumer sector at Edison Group, noted that Dunelm has “navigated well through the stormy seas caused by Omicron, inflationary pressures and supply chain issues”. Despite the wider economic uncertainty, a strong set of results signals the chain’s “resilience against the wider challenges that have been plaguing the retail sector", he added. 

With UK housing market activity hampered by a lack of supply, more people may be tempted to stay put and instead improve their current houses, which could mean more good news for Dunelm. The asking price isn't prohibitive when you factor in a rating of 16 times forecast earnings and a forward dividend yield of 3.2 per cent. Buy.

Last IC View: Buy, 1,500p, 16 Sep 21

DUNELM (DNLM)   
ORD PRICE:1,285pMARKET VALUE:£2.6bn
TOUCH:1,283-1,286p12-MONTH HIGH:1,599pLOW: 1219p
DIVIDEND YIELD:2.9%PE RATIO:19
NET ASSET VALUE: 106pNET DEBT:115%
Half-year to 25 DecTurnover (£mn)Pre-tax profit (£mn)Earnings per share (p)Dividend per share (p)
202071911244.612
202179614155.914
% change+11+26+25+17
Ex-div:17 Mar   
Payment:8 Apr   
NB: DY excludes special dividend of 37p, to be paid on 18 Mar, ex-div 24 Feb