UK homeware retailer Dunelm has acquired Ireland’s Homefocus Group, a retailer specialising in soft furnishings, for an undisclosed amount.
Home Focus, under the brand name Home Focus at Hickeys, operates 13 retail locations in prime areas throughout the Republic of Ireland.
The company also has an online presence that includes home delivery services and a Click & Reserve feature, allowing customers to pick up items in-store.
Home Focus concentrates on fabric-related products, particularly in categories such as curtains and bedding.
Dunelm is set to integrate 140 employees from Home Focus into its operations.
The acquisition presents Dunelm with an opportunity to expand its customer base by entering a new market, which has a homewares sector valued at £1bn.
The addition of Home Focus enhances Dunelm's presence in the Republic of Ireland through its network of smaller retail spaces, each under 10,000ft².
Dunelm plans to enhance the product range available at Home Focus locations, aligning with its existing smaller store formats in the UK to offer customers a wider selection for their home needs.
Dunelm intends to strengthen the online shopping experience and will explore potential new store openings across Ireland in the future.
The financial impact of the acquisition on Dunelm is expected to be minimal.
The company will leverage its current operations, capabilities and supply chain partnerships to improve the offerings of Home Focus.
Dunelm CEO Nick Wilkinson said: "In Home Focus, we have found a high-quality and complementary business, with a shared heritage in home textiles and strong values that stem from family ownership. We've really enjoyed getting to know the team and look forward to welcoming them to the Dunelm family as we work together to further develop and invest in their specialist home proposition.
"We see a clear opportunity to introduce more choice and value into the offer that Home Focus has built for its customers. With an established national store footprint and expertise in mutual growth areas like Made to Measure, we're confident that Home Focus will help us to continue unlocking our full potential.”
In September 2024, Dunelm recorded £1.71bn ($2.23bn) in total sales for the fiscal year 2024 (FY24), an increase of 4.1% from £1.64bn in FY23.
