Doncaster-based sofa seller DFS says orders in the second half of last year are up on pre-pandemic levels but down on the previous year's levels.
In a trading update to investors, the firm said its order intake was up 10.6% on the comparable period in 2019, but down 4.8% on a year before. Painting an upbeat picture, DFS said its current orders levels were strong and that its key winter sale trading period had started well.
Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty and cost-of-living pressures impacting consumer confidence, the market was said to be hard to predict. Despite that, DFS said it expected to meet its £36m profit forecast.
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The prediction assumes a similar level of momentum in orders is carried on, as well as planned margin improvements. And the retailer said profits would be weighted to the second half.
Tim Stacey, group chief executive, said: "The group has traded well through the second quarter and the start of the important winter sale trading period. Whilst the macroeconomic environment remains challenging and hard to predict, we reiterate our full year profit guidance supported by the positive current trading momentum.
"As always, we continue to invest for the long term success of the business, to further strengthen our market leading position and with our established platforms, scale and expertise we believe we are well set up for growth over the medium term."
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