Like-for-like sales fall 2.4% during the three months to June 28 at homewares retailer
Dunelm Mill chief executive Will Adderley stressed the positives after seeing a fall of 2.4% in its like-for-like sales - the first in two years for the homewares retailer.

At the start of a week which has seen predictions of recession heighten, Mr Adderley stressed Dunelm's resilience: "'Simply value for money' is more appealing than ever at times like this. Our focus remains to keep doing the best job we can for our customers, and our stores are in good shape."

After seven consecutive quarters of like-for-like growth, a decline was experienced in the final quarter of the financial year just ended.

Dunlem said it anticipated the fall in light of the strong like-for-like performance in the equivalent quarter in 2007 (+10.1%), when footfall was encouraged by the poor summer weather.

It went on to say it has seen market share gains through like-for-like stores (based on data published by the British Retail Consortium).

Will Adderley said the business is 'extremely well placed' to address tough market conditions as well as exploit market weakness.