Housewares retailer, Dunelm, has bucked the trend and reported an increase in like-for-like (lfl) sales for the 26 weeks to December 29.
Despite the gloom surrounding the retail market, Dunelm has achieved a lfl growth of 4.9% and a total sales growth of 10.6% with total sales of £197.4m (£178.4m).

The company operates 63 superstores, 13 high street outlets and the Dunelm website.

During the period it opened new superstores in Aberdeen, Shoreham, Peterborough and Dumfries and plans further openings in Leeds, Bournemouth, Sittingbourne and Huddersfield this year.

Chief executive, Will Adderley, said: "We are delighted to have maintained such a strong lfl sales performance during a period when we estimate the homewares market has shown little or no growth."