DFS Furniture PLC (LSE:DFS) said it had a record market share last year as it expects profits to grow in the upcoming 12 months.
The furniture retailer said in a trading update that its share of the market reached 38% in the year ended 25 June 2023.
Underlying profit before tax and amortisation was in line with previous guidance of slightly above £30mln, “despite the market being significantly worse than expected”, it said.
Sales in the period were however down 4% year-on-year, although 15% higher than the last pre-pandemic year.
Looking ahead, DFS said trading so far in the current year has been in line with expectations, with the board forecasting underlying profits to be slightly higher than last year, despite the uncertain economic outlook.
“We are in the strongest position we have ever been as a group in terms of market share, and when the market recovers, we will be well placed to deliver our strategy and grow our earnings and cash flows towards our longer term plan,” said chief executive Tim Stacey.