DFS pushing sales ahead
Furniture retailer driving forward in tough market
December 1 2003
Furniture retailer DFS has seen sales improve in recent weeks despite tough market conditions.
The company, which is featuring designer Linda Barker in a high profile advertising campaign, said growing consumer recognition of its brand values mean it is positive longer term prospects for business growth.
At its annual meeting, executive chairman Graham Kirkham said: “The market has shown some slight signs of improvement in recent weeks. Like-for-like order intake, which was down 3.9 per cent in the order bank we brought forward and in the first nine weeks of the current financial year, has been positive in the eight weeks since we announced our preliminary results on October 9.
“This more positive order pattern helps underpin our confidence in the ability to reach our targets for the current year, with results to date in line with the revised budgets we set in October.”
DFS has completed six out of 12 twelve store refurbishments planned for the current financial year, and is rolling out its new corporate identity to all its 65-plus stores.
ln October, Kirkham said the UK furniture market “has never been more active, aggressive and competitive.”
