DFS Furniture posts half-year profit jump despite weak UK demand (updated)
19/03/2026 07:46
Corrects paragraph 5 to say softer footfall from adverse weather conditions was since the first half, not in the first half March 19 (Reuters) - British sofa retailer DFS Furniture DFSD.L reported a rise in half-year adjusted pretax profit on Thursday, as cost-saving measures and operational efficiencies outweighed challenging macroeconomic conditions and soft demand in the UK. The company implemented cost cuts and streamlined operations to counter pressure from rising business rates and minimum wages in the UK. The Doncaster-based company reiterated its full-year adjusted pretax profit forecast of 43 million-50 million pounds ($57.04 million-$66.33 million), supported by these cost-cutting strategies. However, the company noted that the forecast reiteration assumed no supply chain disruptions from current geo-political events, as retailers grapple with potential supply chain and broader economic headwinds from the conflict in the Middle East. DFS Furniture said consumer confidence remains "delicately balanced" amid a slowdown in the British economy and persistent inflation and flagged softer footfall from adverse weather conditions since the first half. The company reported half-year adjusted pretax profit of 30.9 million pounds, in line with previous outlook of 30 million to 31 million pounds. ($1 = 0.7538 pounds) (Reporting by Simone Lobo in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane Venkatraman and Sherry Jacob-Phillips) ((Simone.Lobo@thomsonreuters.com, +919920570373))