Dune Group posts strong 2017 growth

Footwear group Dune achieved a 5.2% year-on-year growth in retail sales in the 52 weeks ending 27 January and saw growth accelerate in the lead-up to Christmas.

The business said its AW17 season was up 6.5% and in the six weeks before Christmas retail sales were up 7.2%, driven by growth across all retail channels; stores, concessions and in particular online.

Dune said sales during January had remained strong "rounding out what has been a good year in the UK, despite a challenging retail environment".

International, which is a key strategic growth area for the business, was "robust" and retail in overseas markets now accounts for 26% of total group sales.

Executive chairman Daniel Rubin said the results were down to "the hard work of our teams and our strategic investments in product, our omni-channel proposition and brand marketing."

"Our focus on delivering exceptional customer service and offering a point of difference at great value has proved popular with our customers and we have successfully maintained our gross margin despite the impact of sterling’s relative weakness during much of the year," Rubin added.