DUNELM’S FEELING THE SQUEEZE

Homewares chain Dunelm has become the latest victim of the spending squeeze.

Takings fell 0.5% in the year to July, with the firm blaming a “changing pattern of customer shopping habits”.

Chairman Andy Harrison added: “We expect the trading climate to remain challenging with the disposable income of UK consumers under pressure.”

Leicestershire-based Dunelm said it was committed to adding new stores, despite online sales jumping 23% last year. It opened seven superstores last year, taking its total to 160.

Profits tumbled 15% to £109million because of the fall in sales and its takeover of Worldstores. The results are the first since chief executive John Browett was given the chop.