Dunelm and DFS forced to close under new lockdown regulations

Unlike during the last lockdown, all of Dunelm’s 145 stores and 181 DFS showrooms in England have been forced to close from today, which Dunelm has expressed its frustrations over. 

The new lockdown regulations permit hardware stores such as B&Q and Homebase, as well as garden centres, to remain open, but do not allow homewares retailers to be open to the public other than for click-and-collect orders.

Dunelm called the government decision “both unexpected and inconsistent” with the previous guidelines made in May.

It said that its total English store estate will offer click and collect, while DFS will continue to fulfil orders and deliver to customers’ homes.

Both retailers will continue to operate online, with DFS transferring many of its store colleagues to online functions, including remote customer service. 

Dunelm, meanwhile, has invested in its online capability and capacity in order to keep up with expected demand over the next month.

The two homewares retailers have said they do not expect the lockdown period to materially affect their financial results.Under the new lockdown restrictions homewares retailers Dunelm and DFS stores are not counted as essential.