Store closures push DFS into loss

Nearly three months of closed showrooms, manufacturing sites and distribution facilities pushed DFS (DFS) into a statutory loss for the year, with the retailer estimating a revenue loss of around £270m during its shutdown. DFS has been busy with its online custom, recording a 77 per cent year-on-year increase in online orders from the start of lockdown until 12 July across its core brand and nascent Sofology business. But it admits that most customers still prefer to visit stores in order to undertake that all-important “comfort test” before buying.