Dunelm Group plc (LON:DNLM) said today that in light of the rapidly changing developments regarding COVID-19, it has provided the following update (which will replace the scheduled third quarter trading statement).
Protecting our colleagues, customers, suppliers and shareholders
Dunelm is a successful business that has been built over 40 years on the foundations of strong values and close relationships with our colleagues, our customers, our suppliers and our shareholders. In these unprecedented times, our key business principles of ‘do the right thing’ and ‘long-term decisions’ are even more important to guide our decision making.
We have been working closely with our colleagues to assess the risks that they and our customers were facing from the COVID-19 outbreak across our business and day to day operations. Yesterday, we had made the decision to close our stores to customers. At that point, we had intended that our stores would continue to offer services to their communities, both as contact-less collection points for Click & Collect orders, and to perform activities which supported local people, such as befriending services and local deliveries to the vulnerable. However, the announcement by the Prime Minister last night has led us to review our approach and we are intending to temporarily close down all of our customer facing operations today in order to understand and comply with the new restrictions and guidelines.
We had already taken significant and decisive actions to support the most vulnerable and lowest paid colleagues in our business, and now we will go further to support the national effort to defeat this pandemic.
At the same time, we have also taken actions to protect the cash resources of the business (which are detailed further below). This includes our decision to cancel the interim dividend, which was due to be paid in April. Our capital policy is unchanged and we remain committed to returning surplus cash to our shareholders. In light of the extraordinary circumstances, the Board believes it is important to retain the cash in the business until further certainty is gained.
Notwithstanding the latest government guidelines, we remain determined to ensure that we use these challenging times to develop a stronger proposition for our customers which will ensure that when this pandemic is over, we have an even better business.
Financial position
Dunelm Group has access to £175m of financing facilities through a committed RCF of £165m (maturing in March 2023) and a £10m overdraft.
As at 21 March 2020, our net cash position was £11m, comprising a drawdown of £14m against our RCF facility and £25m cash.
The Board has taken the decision to draw down in full against its RCF given the heightened levels of uncertainty and will place surplus cash on deposit. The Group continues to expect that it will satisfy its covenant requirements at the FY20 year-end.
Short-term actions to support cash flows
Further to the decisions noted above, the Board has taken immediate actions to protect the cash flows of the business. These actions include reducing capital expenditure and all non-essential operating costs as appropriate.
We are in close contact with our suppliers and are managing our stock requirements in light of latest trading information. We are also liaising with our landlords to improve our rent payments schedule. Our board of directors have agreed to either waive their non-executive fees or to take a reduction in their executive pay for the next three months.
Additionally, we have taken into account the latest guidance from the government regarding their intentions to support businesses through this crisis. Our cash flows will benefit from the business rates holiday (effective 1 April 2020) and the deferment of VAT and corporation tax payments.
We expect to utilise the government Job Retention Scheme to help fund the pay of our colleagues who may no longer be able to work in the business and we are exploring the scheme which provides additional funding options for corporates.
The situation is very fluid, and we remain focused on balancing the right actions for both the short and longer-term.
Trading update
For the first ten weeks of the third quarter (ended 7 March 2020), total like-for-like (LFL) sales were up 6.5%. This was a good performance given the strong comparative from Q3 FY19 (+12.5% total LFL). Over the ten weeks, LFL stores were up +2.4% and Dunelm.com was up +31.9%. Total growth, including the benefit of new store openings, was 7.9%.
During this period, gross margin also continued to improve year on year, in line with the levels observed in the first half of the financial year.
However, over the past two weeks (ended 21 March 2020), we have seen a progressively negative impact on our trading as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with total LFL sales down 8.8% driven by reduced footfall to our physical stores. Our online business continues to grow and in recent days, as store footfall has fallen further, we have seen a material increase in online demand.
Outlook
Prior to the recent downturn, the Group was performing well and in line with our expectations. However, given the uncertain backdrop, we do not think it is appropriate to give financial guidance for FY20 and beyond.
The Board remains confident in the strategy over the longer term and believes Dunelm will continue to build on its market leading position.
Comment from Nick Wilkinson, Dunelm’s Chief Executive Officer:
“These are unprecedented times, but Dunelm is a strong business which has been built over 40 years on the foundations of close relationships with our customers, colleagues, suppliers and shareholders. Our business principle to ‘Do the right thing’ is more important than ever in the current situation.
“We have a very strong team in place who are adaptable and committed to ensuring the long-term success of the business. We are navigating the challenges of this situation, acting in the interests of all our stakeholders, and doing the work necessary to ensure that we come through this crisis in a stronger position and with a better business for the future.”
