DFS Furniture flags softer second-half demand, keeps annual profit forecast (updated)
UPDATE 1-DFS Furniture flags softer second-half demand, keeps annual profit forecast Adds context, profit forecast
July 16 (Reuters) - British sofa retailer DFS Furniture DFSD.L said on Thursday that demand softened notably in the second half of fiscal year 2026 as consumer confidence and housing transactions weakened, partly due to uncertainty linked to the Iran conflict, but maintained its annual pretax profit guidance.
UK home furnishings retailers have been under pressure as consumers cut back on purchases of non-essential items such as furniture as households grapple with elevated living costs amid Iran war-linked uncertainty and seek value-driven alternatives.
The Doncaster-based company forecast fiscal 2026 adjusted pretax profit of £45 million ($60.90 million), within its previously guided range of £43 million to £50 million.
($1 = £0.7389)
(Reporting by Neeshita Beura in Bengaluru; Editing by Harikrishnan Nair)