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Dunelm Group

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FY2013 Annual Report · Dunelm Group
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There’s no place 
like Dunelm

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Welcome to the
UK’s number one
homewares retailer

Contents
Business overview
1  Highlights
4  Market overview
6  Our business model

Business review
10  Chairman’s statement
12  Chief Executive’s review
16  Finance Director’s review
20  Key risks and uncertainties
24  Corporate social responsibility report

Governance
33  Chairman’s letter
34  Directors and officers
36  Corporate governance report
43  Letter from the Chair of the Audit and Risk 

Committee

44  Audit and Risk Committee report
46  Letter from the Chair of the Remuneration 

Committee

47  Remuneration report
57  Letter from the Chair of the Nominations 

Committee

58  Nominations Committee report
60  Directors’ report and business review
63  Statement of Directors’ responsibilities

Financial statements
64  Independent Auditor’s report
65  Consolidated income statement
66  Consolidated statement of comprehensive 

income

67  Consolidated statement of financial position
68  Consolidated statement of cash flows
69  Consolidated statement of changes in equity
70  Accounting policies
74  Notes to the annual financial statements
84  Parent Company statement of financial position
85  Parent Company statement of cash flows
86  Parent Company statement of changes in equity
87  Parent Company accounting policies
89  Notes to the Parent Company financial 

statements

Company information
93  Advisers and contacts
94  Dunelm store listing

Financial Highlights
Revenue increase  
12.2%  
Operating margin  
15.7% 
Net cash generated from operations   £100.4m

Revenue† 
£m

£677.2m 
(2012: £603.7m) 

Operating Profit† 
£m

£106.5m +11.9% 
(2012: £95.2m) 

Profit before tax† 
£m

£108.1m 
(2012: £96.2m) 

677.2

603.7

106.5

95.2

83.3

75.5

538.5

492.8

423.8

108.1

96.2

83.6

76.8

Net cash from operations† 
£m

£100.4m 
(2012: £91.9m)  

100.4

91.9

72.0

74.0

67.4

52.6

53.5

2009 2010 2011

2012

2013

2009 2010 2011

2012

2013

2009 2010 2011

2012

2013

2009 2010 2011

2012

2013

† The 2009 figures reflect a 53 week trading period, compared with 52 weeks in all other years.

1

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationIn 2013 we opened over 
400,000 square feet of 
selling space, taking our 
superstore chain to 126 
stores at year end

2

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013New superstores opened in 
Financial year 2013
 > Barnstaple
 > Cambridge
 > Coventry (reopening)
 > Halifax
 > Hartlepool 
 > Hastings
 > Inverness
 > Kettering
 > Kilmarnock
 > Lincoln (relocation)
 > Mansfield
 > Oxford
 > Telford (relocation)
 > Thurrock

Superstore locations

 Superstores as at 1 July 2012
 Superstores opened since 1 July 2012

 See page 94 for a full store list

3

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationOur strategic priorities
continue to be:
•	 Develop	our	specialist	proposition
•	 Expand	our	store	portfolio
•	 Grow	multi-channel
•	 Develop	and	exploit	our	infrastructure

4

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Market overview

Market share*

Dunelm

John Lewis

Argos

2008

2012

4.0

5.1

5.3

6.9

6.8

4.9

Split of £10.7bn  
Split of £10.7Bn 
UK homewares market*
uk homewares market
Textiles & Soft Furnishings 46%

Household, hardware 
& lighting

54%

46%

54%

Customer loyalty in the homewares market is driven primarily 
by range, price and convenience. Dunelm’s customer proposition 
allows us to differentiate in this sector by providing industry 
leading choice, the broadest price spectrum and convenient 
locations across the whole of the UK.

  Textiles & soft furnishings
  Household, hardware & lighting

* Source: Verdict Research

Drivers of 
shopping behaviour

Customer drivers*

Customer 
drivers

Our customer 

proposition

  Price
  Range
  Convenience

  Quality
  Service
  Layout 
Other

  Choice

  Price

  Availibility

  Quality

  Service

2

4

Strategic priorities
1

Develop our specialist proposition
We must continue to evolve our offer so that we 
maintain and grow our competitive advantage in 
choice and price, supported by quality, service 
and availability. Increasing awareness of the 
Dunelm brand is a clear priority.

Our current focus
 > Continuously evolve product ranges
 > Develop knowledge-based customer 
service as a point of differentiation
 > Develop value-added services such as 

‘made to measure’ and ‘Dunelm At Home’

3

Grow multi-channel 

www.dunelm.com accounts for c. 4% 
of revenue. We plan to increase customer 
engagement, develop new customer 
touch points and grow our multi-channel 
participation further.

Our current focus
 > Make all products available for home delivery
 > Improve delivery options
 > Further develop collect-in-store service

Expand our store portfolio
We aim to grow market share and reach 
more customers by opening more superstores 
across the UK. We expect to grow our 
portfolio to 200 superstores in the medium 
term.	
Our current focus
 > Continue new store opening programme
 > Consider freehold property deals as 

appropriate

 > Target payback of 36 months for larger 
catchments and 48 months for smaller 
catchments

Develop and exploit our 
infrastructure
We have a well-invested infrastructure. Our 
aim is to ensure that we continue to develop 
this ahead of our growth curve, so that it is an 
enabler and never a constraint.

Our current focus
 > Exploit IT systems to release time for 

customer service

 > Enhance IT infrastructure to support 

further growth

5

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany information 
20,000 homewares 

products provide market 
leading choice and value

38m	ft2	

Industry	leading	choice	across	38m	ft2	of	selling	space	

6

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Our business model
Dunelm is the UK’s No.1 Homewares retailer offering over 20,000 
quality products from a national portfolio of 135 stores as well as 
online. Our aim is to deliver an industry leading customer proposition 
by providing the biggest range, strong availability, knowledgeable 
and helpful staff all underpinned by exceptional value for money.

Develop
Specialist proposition 
to deliver more range 
& choice to consumers

BuyExpert sourcing of 

quality products 
in-line with 
specialist 
proposition

ShipEfficient distribution 

of products to 
nationwide stores 
chain

Sell
‘Customer First’ 
approach offering 
friendly advice and 
guidance when 
required

Our key strengths
Range & Choice
Dunelm’s proposition provides industry 
leading choice and availability across all key 
homewares categories. 

Size & Scale – Market Leader
Dunelm is market leader in a large fragmented 
market with room for growth. The business 
operates from 135 stores as well as online. 

Consistent Value
Our broad price architecture ensures that our 
products are exceptional value for money and 
remain attractive to a wide customer set. 

Low Cost Operating Model
The business is highly focused on tight cost 
management and operates from a relatively 
low fixed cost base. 

Financial Strength
Dunelm is a highly cash generative business 
with no debt. Cash generated from operating 
activities was 93% of profits in 2013 and with 
daily average funds of £66.2m in 2013 the 
business is very well placed to invest in its 
future. 

7

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationWe will materially improve  
the speed and choice of our 
home delivery offering through 
a new dedicated fulfilment 
centre

Multi-channel  
Growth - Fulfilment
We have seen further progress in our 
multi-channel business with continuing 
revenue growth during the period. Over 
the financial year as a whole, multi-channel 
revenues amounted to 4.1% of total sales 
increasing to 4.5% in the final quarter.

Natural growth in this area will be 
supplemented by a significant increase 
in the number of lines offered for home 
delivery, enabled by a larger, dedicated 
fulfilment centre.

4%	

of	revenues	were	multi-channel	in	2013

8

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Specialist Proposition – 
Dunelm at Home
We continue to invest in our customer proposition, for example 
through the extension of our ‘Dunelm at Home’ (home consultation) 
service.

This service transfers our in-store specialism for creating ‘custom-
made’ curtains and blinds to our customers home where we can 
advise and consult on the best products, colours and styles. The  
offer includes consultation, measurement, manufacture (through  
our in-house workshop), delivery and fit.

This offer is now live in 30 stores and will be rolled out to give  
national coverage through 2013/14.

Strategic Objectives
Enhance

2013 Progress

Future Plans

Develop our specialist 
proposition

Launch of our first full catalogue in Autumn 
2012 followed by Spring 2013

Nationwide customer service training 
‘Customer First’

Developed and piloted a new Window 
Treatments offer for custom-made and 
‘made-to-measure’ curtains and blinds

Expanded our Dunelm at Home, home 
consultation service to 30 stores 

Evolution of Dunelm brand to 
emphasise our range authority, 
value, convenience and service

Expand the ‘Dunelm at Home’ 
service to give nationwide coverage

Expand

Expand our store portfolio

Grow

Grow multi-channel

In 2012/13 we opened over 400,000 ft2  
of retail selling space

New stores deliver strong returns with  
average discounted paybacks consistently 
better than 30 months

We completed 14 refits in the year, 4 of 
which were ‘major’ refits

We will continue to open retail space

We have 10 stores in the pipeline 
legally committed

We will target new stores to achieve 
a discounted payback of 36 months 
(48 months in smaller catchments)

The range of lines offered online was 
increased to 16,000 with availability check 
features added

Same day collection was rolled out to 
all ‘reserve and collect’ lines

We redesigned our homepage along with 
other key product pages prioritised by 
customer search and land behaviours

We will open a new, dedicated 
fulfilment operation

Standard deliveries will be cut to 
three to five days and next day 
delivery will be offered on all 
products for the first time

Improvements are planned to our 
website to enhance navigation, 
speed and checkout

Develop

Develop and exploit our 
infrastructure

We have upgraded our till systems 
improving time at checkout

Investment in the calibre and capability of 
store support teams particularly in our 
Buying and Supply functions

We will further develop our range 
management and space planning 
capabilities

We will complete the upgrade of our 
enterprise wide SAP system

9

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationChairman’s statement

14.3%	

Increase	in	full	year	dividend	to	16p	per	share

10

“ Dunelm has posted good 
growth in revenue and 
profits in the latest 
financial year.”

Highlights
 > Consistent strategy

 > Strong cash generation

 > Dividend growth

 > Stable Board, with one new 

Non-Executive Director

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Geoff	Cooper	Chairman

I am pleased to report another year of strong progress. 
The management team has continued to focus on our 
well-established strategy for developing the business, as 
well as keeping tight control on day to day operations. As 
a result, Dunelm has posted good growth in revenue and 
profits in the latest financial year, accompanied by further 
strong cash generation. More details are given by Nick 
Wharton, our Chief Executive, in his report.

Given the continuing strong business performance, the 
Board is able to recommend a 15% increase in the final 
dividend to 11.5p per share (2012: 10.0p), bringing the total 
ordinary dividends for the year to 16.0p (2012: 14.0p). We 
have also announced a special dividend of 25p per share, 
returning a further £50.7m of excess cash to shareholders.

The Board has continued to evolve over the last financial 
year with the appointment of a new Non-Executive 
Director, Liz Doherty. Liz joined the Board in May,  
bringing a wealth of experience across large retail and 
consumer businesses.

Looking ahead, we have a range of exciting development 
initiatives and in particular continue to see significant 
potential to expand our store portfolio further within the 
UK. We remain confident in the Dunelm proposition and 
look forward to further profitable growth.

Geoff Cooper
Chairman

12 September 2013

11

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationChief Executive’s review

“We remain focused on close 
operational management, while 
investing confidently in the 
future growth of the business.”

Highlights
 > Continued market share growth – now 

market leader

 > 14 new superstore openings (including two 

relocations and one reopening) 

 > 80% growth in multi-channel revenue

 > Continuing investment in infrastructure 

to underpin future growth

 > Evolution of Dunelm brand ‘There’s no place 

like Dunelm’

6.9%	

Market	leading	share	of	the	UK	homewares	market

12

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Nick	Wharton	Chief	Executive

Overview
Against the background of continued pressures on the 
consumer throughout the last financial year, the business 
delivered a robust trading performance and made  
good progress against both its operational and  
strategic objectives. 

We remain focused on close operational management and 
on enhancing our customer experience, while investing 
confidently in the future growth of the business. This 
investment, consistent with our four strategic priorities, 
centres on the further strengthening of our specialist 
proposition, while at the same time increasing scale 
through store portfolio and multi-channel expansion. 

Reflecting the benefit of a particularly strong store 
opening programme over the last two financial years, our 
total revenue for the year increased by 12.2%. Within this, 
like-for-like sales (calculated by comparing stores which 
have traded throughout the last two financial years) grew 
by 1.7% as we continue to gain share in a market which we 
believe to be broadly flat. During the year we opened 14 
new superstores, including 2 relocations and the 
reopening of our Coventry store after a major fire in 2011.

Our growth has meant that during the past year we have 
become, according to Verdict Research, market leader  
for the first time with a share of 6.9% of the UK 
homewares market.

Disciplined inventory management and continued 
progress with direct sourcing delivered a 40 basis points 
expansion in gross margin year on year. With operating 
costs growing slightly ahead of sales, reflecting our 
ongoing investment in the customer proposition as well as 
building capability across the business for longer-term 
growth, our operating margin remained at a similar level to 
the previous year, at 15.7%. 

The business remains highly cash generative, readily 
funding the capital requirements associated with our 
growth as well as allowing a 14% year on year increase in 
the level of the ordinary dividend for the year. In addition 
we have been able to announce a special dividend 
totalling £50.7m to be distributed to shareholders in 
October 2013. This reflects our ongoing approach of 
periodically distributing surplus cash to shareholders.

Strategy development
We have continued to make good progress with our four 
strategic priorities.

Priority 1 – develop our specialist proposition
The UK homewares market is estimated by Verdict 
Research to be worth approximately £11bn. As market 
leaders, our key differentiator is industry-leading choice, 
offering quality products over the broadest price 
spectrum. This is supported by strong availability, 
customer convenience through an established multi-
channel proposition and friendly knowledgeable service.

Our range and choice are complemented by exceptional 
value for money at all price points together with strong 
brand representation. The Dunelm brand, with its core 
attributes of trust and value, is applied to the majority of 
products across the proposition. In addition we stock a 
number of key owned brands including Dorma, Hotel and 
Spectrum alongside major proprietary brands such as 
Fogarty, Tempur, Kenwood and Brabantia.

Our broad price architecture is mirrored across each of 
our core categories and creates a proposition that is 
attractive to a very wide customer set. This positioning 
has continued to help preserve existing footfall and attract 
new customers during the past financial year. The Dunelm 
offer ranges from our entry price position, which 
competes with products offered by grocers and discount 
multiples but at a higher quality, through a number of 
mid-market options, to our highest quality products which 
are comparable with offerings in department stores and 
higher-end independent retailers but at keener prices. 

We continue constantly to evolve our offer to ensure it 
remains contemporary, fresh and relevant. Through two 
seasonal refreshes we change approximately 25% of our 
ranges each year; while Special Buys and Miss It Miss Out 
(‘MIMO’) promotions emphasise Dunelm’s value 
credentials and provide a seasonal feel to the store.

We have a clear opportunity to build further awareness of 
the Dunelm brand. During the year, in addition to 
increasing our presence in the national press and growing 
our social media activity, we invested in our first full 
catalogue. Our initial 200 page edition was distributed to 
700,000 people in autumn 2012 and proved extremely 
effective in showcasing the breadth and authority of the 
Dunelm product offer. We followed this with a spring 
catalogue and plan to build on these successful 
investments with a larger autumn 2013 catalogue which 
will have a distribution of one million copies.

13

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationChief Executive’s review continued

Our next phase of investment in brand awareness 
incorporates an evolution of the current Dunelm branding. 
This evolution aims to communicate Dunelm’s range 
authority across all homewares categories and to highlight 
our strengths in value, convenience and service. We are 
introducing a new primary strapline of ‘There’s no place 
like Dunelm’, migrating to the more user-friendly domain 
name of www.dunelm.com and will remove our traditional 
‘Mill’ suffix from across the business. Research has shown 
that these changes will be positively received by both 
existing and new customer groups. The new strapline in 
particular is seen as a better reflection of our customers’ 
emotional connection with the home. We will use this 
evolution in our branding to increase brand awareness and 
introduce Dunelm to a wider group of homewares 
shoppers through our first significant TV advertising 
campaign. Subject to performance in pilot, our planned 
investment in this campaign will amount to approximately 
£3m over the current financial year.

Excellent customer service, a high quality in-store 
experience and differentiating services are all important in 
ensuring that our overall customer experience meets the 
promise of the ‘There’s no place like Dunelm’ campaign. 
During the last financial year, we invested across each of 
these dimensions, foremost of which was a significant 
customer service training programme for store colleagues 
– ‘Customer First’. This has been funded largely by 
reassigning colleague time in-store from non-customer 
facing tasks which we have been able to eliminate or 
reduce through better processes and systems. Initial 
results are pleasing in terms of both customer satisfaction, 
where our net promoter score hit new heights after  
the completion of the training and external recognition 
where Dunelm ranked very positively in the most recent 
annual survey of customer service undertaken by  
Which? magazine.

Our Window Treatments offer spanning fabrics, ready-
made and made to measure curtains and blinds is a 
category that relies on high levels of expertise, service and 
customer interaction. During the year we have 
successfully developed and piloted a new, more intuitive 
and interactive system, to support our made to measure 
service and this will be introduced to all stores this autumn 
ahead of our peak window treatments season.

Our Dunelm At Home service, through which customers 
can select bespoke, made to measure curtains and other 
window treatments via a free home consultation, is now 
available from 30 stores, with a further phased roll-out 
planned over the current financial year. Customers of this 
service are rightly demanding and we invest significantly 
in the training and development of our home consultants 
to ensure good levels of customer satisfaction.

Priority 2 – expand our store portfolio
Dunelm trades from two store formats. The bulk of the 
portfolio comprises out-of-town superstores, with our 
average new store footprint now targeted towards 30,000 
square feet of retail space. This space enables us to offer 
over 20,000 homewares products with the depth of range 
and availability that customers expect from a specialist 
retailer. It also accommodates a Pausa coffee shop, now 
present in 92 stores, providing an additional reason for 
customers to visit and increasing their engagement and 
dwell time. In addition to superstores, we also trade 
profitably from nine smaller high street locations where 
there are currently no suitable out-of-town alternatives.

In the last financial year we again opened over 400,000 
square feet of selling space through 14 new superstores 
(two being relocations and one a reopening) taking our 
superstore chain to 126 stores at the year end, providing 
3.8 million square feet of selling space in total. A further 10 
new stores are contractually committed. Following a 
detailed catchment analysis process completed in 2011, 
which sought to incorporate the impact of the anticipated 
growth of our multi-channel sales, we believe our mature 
UK superstore portfolio will consist of approximately 200 
stores. 

Our new stores continue to deliver strong returns on 
invested capital with the average expected discounted 
payback for stores opened in the last three financial years 
being approximately 28 months. We will continue to target 
the majority of our new store openings to achieve 
discounted cash flow payback of 36 months. However, as 
our portfolio becomes more mature our investment 
criteria will need to reflect some cannibalisation of 
revenues from existing stores and going forward we 
anticipate that a proportion of new stores (perhaps  
up to 30%) will be targeted to achieve payback in up  
to 48 months. 

Our refit programme covered 14 superstores this year,  
of which 4 were ‘major’ refits. The programme is designed 
to improve the shopping environment in our existing 
stores and to create a more consistent customer 
experience in terms of space allocation and  
department layouts. 

14 Dunelm Group plc

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013B
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As a result of this continued investment our portfolio is 
highly contemporary with 42% of the superstore chain 
either new or having benefited from a major refit over the 
past three years. 

Priority 3 – grow multi-channel
In common with trends elsewhere in UK retail, Dunelm 
customers are embracing the convenience and value of 
multi-channel shopping with a significant proportion of 
shopping journeys now involving some element of online 
activity (browsing, research or purchasing) through our 
website, www.dunelm.com.

The last financial year saw continued investment in both 
website development, to enhance the customer 
experience, and in digital marketing where returns remain 
attractive. Our ‘Reserve and Collect’ (‘R&C’) proposition, 
which links our store stock files to the web in real time, 
enables our customers to check availability and order 
from over 16,000 products. This was further enhanced 
during the year to provide for same day collection. R&C 
customers, who represent approximately a third of 
multi-channel revenues, pay for their reserved products 
on collection in store creating a clear opportunity for 
add-on or incremental sales in store. 

Development of the core website included the redesign of 
our homepage as well as key product pages where 
customers ‘land’ following an internet search. We have 
also introduced Paypal as a payment alternative and 
optimised our site for tablet users in response to the rapid 
increase in the number of customers accessing our site 
from these devices. Developments such as expert guides, 
better recommendations for complementary products 
and enhanced alternative images also ensure that our 
website stimulates interest, communicates our expertise 
and provides added value. 

As a consequence of all of the above, our multi-channel 
revenues continued to grow strongly, representing over 
4% of revenues over the full financial year and 
approximately 4.5% in the final quarter.

Our next targeted development will materially improve 
speed and choice within our home delivery offering 
where, despite strong progress elsewhere, our proposition 
remains below benchmark and therefore provides a clear 
opportunity for further improvement and revenue growth. 
The transfer of our fulfilment operation to a scalable 
facility that will enable us to hold stock of approximately 
20,000 lines, each available for next day delivery, is 
progressing well and is anticipated to be fully operational 
prior to peak winter trading.

While, as outlined above, significant enhancement of our 
multi-channel model has been possible on our existing 
web technology platform, our pace of development is 
restricted due to the configuration of the current software. 
Accordingly, we have initiated a programme to upgrade 
the platform and expect this to be completed during the 
second half of the current financial year, representing a 
capital investment of £4–5m. This replatforming will 
deliver a more customer-friendly website as well as 
allowing future developments to be achieved over shorter 
lead times, thus enabling more frequent introductions of 
improved functionality to our customers. 

Following a successful trial of extended inventory  
within furniture, we are targeting further web exclusive 
ranges and will apply our enhanced e:marketing and 
promotional capability to drive awareness of both core 
and extended ranges. 

Priority 4 – develop and exploit our infrastructure
Focused investment in our business infrastructure across 
IT systems, distribution facilities and people resources is a 
key contributor to Dunelm’s continued success and this 
continued in the past year. 

Investment in our IT systems has enabled us to improve 
stock control, make in-store processes more efficient and, 
through the upgrade during the year of our till systems, 
has enabled a better customer experience when they pay 
for their goods. The project to upgrade our enterprise 
wide SAP system is progressing well and is expected to be 
completed this calendar year.

The capacity and capability of the Group has been further 
strengthened by targeted recruitment including a Chief 
Information Officer who joined the business at the start of 
the current financial year. Meaningful headcount increases 
made in our buying, supply and space management teams 
have enabled us to develop product range options such 
that the best performing products within each category 
can be matched to each individual store based on their 
overall space and configuration. This development will 
continue in the current financial year, helping to create a 
more consistent shopping experience for our customers 
and reducing our lifecycle exposure to discontinued 
inventory. 

Summary and outlook
Dunelm delivered robust trading results over the year, in a 
demanding retail environment. We have strengthened our 
specialist proposition, improved customer service in-store 
and increased the profile of our brand. Each of these, 
together with our traditional product strength, has enabled 
us to increase sales on a like-for-like basis. We have also 
made good strategic progress scaling our business through 
new stores and multi-channel and strengthening our 
infrastructure. I would like to thank all my colleagues for their 
hard work and commitment in achieving this.

While recent economic data, particularly the volume of 
housing transactions, may suggest some improvement in 
consumer confidence, a degree of caution in relation to the 
broader UK economic environment remains appropriate. 
Furthermore, the unusually warm summer weather has had a 
temporary dampening effect on recent trading.

With strong plans in place to improve brand awareness and 
to grow Dunelm further through new stores and multi-
channel expansion, we remain confident in the future 
prospects for the business. Combined with our very strong 
financial position, this enables us to pay a special dividend 
equal to 25p per share as well as proposing an increase in 
the ordinary dividend in line with earnings. 

Nick Wharton
Chief Executive

12 September 2013

15

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finance Director’s review 

“The Group generated  
£100.4m net cash from operating 
activities in the last financial year,  
an increase of 9.2%.” 

Financial Highlights
 > 12.2% increase in overall revenues

 > Gross margin change +40 bps

 > Operating profit £106.5m (11.9% increase)

 > Earnings per share (diluted) 40.0p (14.0% increase)

 > Ordinary dividends per share 16.0p (14.3% increase)

 > Announcement of special dividend of 25.0p per share

1.7%	growth	in	like-for-like	sales

16

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013David	Stead	Finance	Director

Operating result
The ‘2013’ accounting period represents trading for the 52 
weeks to 29 June 2013 and the comparative period ‘2012’ 
represents trading for the 52 weeks to 30 June 2012.

Group revenue for 2013 was £677.2m (2012: £603.7m), an 
increase of 12.2%. This increase in revenue was achieved 
through growth in like-for-like sales of 1.7% and 
contribution from net new space amounting to 10.5%, the 
latter reflecting the strong store opening programme over 
the past two years including 14 new openings in 2013 (of 
which two were relocations and one a reopening). Like-
for-like sales performance was positive in both the first 
half (+2.2%) and second half (+1.2%) despite very strong 
comparative sales in the last quarter of 2012.

Gross margin increased by 40 basis points to 48.7%  
(2012: 48.3%) primarily reflecting benefits from direct 
sourcing initiatives. We will continue to pursue 
opportunities to drive margin benefits from direct 
sourcing and from challenging our UK based suppliers  
to achieve cost efficiencies. 

Operating costs grew by 13.6% compared with last year. 
Expansion of the store portfolio was the largest driver of 
this, but we also made important increases to our 
investment in customer service, the in-store shopping 
environment, multi-channel operations, marketing and our 
overall business infrastructure:

•	 Customer service. Thanks to various operational 

efficiency initiatives, we were able to reduce the time 
spent in stores on handling stock. We reinvested 
significantly in colleague hours to provide improved 
customer service, supported by a major training 
initiative under the banner of ‘Customer First’.

•	 In-store environment. We introduced improved product 
display mechanics (such as plastic pallets for walkway 
displays) and new point-of-sale materials across  
the estate.

•	 Multi-channel operations. As well as bearing the costs of a 

much higher volume of home-delivered orders than 
previously, we also invested in developing the website 
itself and in preparing the ground for transfer of our 
fulfilment operation to a third party provider this autumn.

•	 Marketing. We continued to increase our marketing 

investment with the launch of the Dunelm catalogue 
and further focus on digital marketing activities.

•	 Business infrastructure. We expanded our capabilities in 

a number of areas, including functions required to 
support our increasing focus on direct sourcing.

Group operating profit for the financial year was £106.5m 
(2012: £95.2m), an increase of £11.3m (11.9%). 

EBITDA
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and 
amortisation were £127.1m (2012: £113.9m). This has been 
calculated as operating profit (£106.5m) plus depreciation 
and amortisation (£20.6m) and represents an increase of 
11.6% on the previous year. The EBITDA margin achieved 
was 18.8% of sales (2012: 18.9%).

Financial items and PBT
The Group generated £1.5m net financial income for the 
year (2012: £1.0m). Financial items include interest earned 
on surplus cash deposits of £0.9m (2012: £0.8m) and 
foreign exchange gains arising from the translation of 
dollar denominated assets and liabilities at the end of the 
period, worth £0.6m (2012: £0.2m). As at 29 June 2013 the 
Group held $4.8m in US dollar cash deposits and 
additional forward contracts for $45.9m representing 
approximately 50% of the anticipated US dollar spend 
over the next 12 months. 

After accounting for interest and foreign exchange 
impacts, profit before tax for the year amounted to 
£108.1m (2012: £96.2m), an increase of 12.3%.

17

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationKey performance indicators

9.3

9.3

8.0

8.0

18.2

18.2

18.2

18.2

9.3
3.1

-0.6

127.1

9.3
3.1

12.2
12.1

12.2
12.1

12.2
12.1

15.7
15.8
15.5
113.2
15.3

Sales growth – %
2013
2012
2011
2010
Sales growth – %
Like for like sales growth – %
2013
12.2
2012
12.1
2013
1.7
Sales growth – %
2011
2012
Operating margin – %
2013
2010
-0.6
2011
2013
15.7
2012
2010
2012
15.8
2011
Like for like sales growth – %
15.5
2011
2010
Gross margin change – basis points
Sales growth – %
2013
1.7
15.3
2010
2012
3.1
2013
2013
40
Operating margin – %
Like for like sales growth – %
-0.6
2011
2012
2012
30
EBITDA – £m
2013
2013
1.7
2010
2011
120
2011
2012
2012
2013
2010
190
2010
2011
2011
2012
Gross margin change – basis points
2010
2010
97.4
2011
Like for like sales growth – %
New superstore openings*
2013
40
86.9
2010
2012
30
2013
1.7
2013
Gross margin change – basis points
EBITDA – £m
120
2011
2012
3.1
2012
2013
Earnings per share (diluted) – p
2013
127.1
2010
2011
10
2011
2012
30
2012
113.2
2013
2010
2010
10
2011
97.4
2011
2012
New superstore openings*
190
2010
2010
29.3
2011
Gross margin change – basis points
2013
Major refits
2010
New superstore openings*
2012
2013
40
2013
4
Earnings per share (diluted) – p
2011
2012
30
2013
2012
4
Ordinary dividend per share – p
2013
2010
120
2011
2012
2011
8
2012
35.1
2013
16.0
2010
10
2011
2010
9
2011
2012
Major refits
10
2010
2010
11.5
2011
New superstore openings*
2013
4
2010
8.0
Major refits
2012
4
2013
Ordinary dividend per share – p
2013
2011
8
2012
2013
16.0
2012
2010
2011
2012
2011
2010
2011
2010
2010
Major refits
2013
2012
2011
2010

14
14
190
40.0

4
4
14.0

120
35.1

29.3
14.0

9
10
10

10
10

14
14

14
14

40.0

86.9

26.9

26.9

-0.6

4
4

8.0

14
14
190

11.5

40

9

8

8

9

190

3.1

3.1

40

9.3

18.2

18.2

29.3

26.9

127.1

86.9

127.1

40.0

120
35.1

9.3
113.2

12.2
12.1

15.7
15.8
15.5
15.3

15.7
15.8
15.5
15.3

Sales growth – %
Operating margin – %
2013
2012
2013
2011
2012
2010
2011
2010
Operating margin – %
Like for like sales growth – %
EBITDA – £m
2013
15.7
2013
1.7
2012
15.8
2012
2013
Operating margin – %
15.5
2011
-0.6
2011
2012
113.2
Sales growth – %
2013
15.3
2010
2010
97.4
2011
2013
12.2
Sales growth – %
2012
2010
2012
12.1
2011
2013
12.2
EBITDA – £m
Gross margin change – basis points
9.3
2011
2010
2012
12.1
Earnings per share (diluted) – p
Operating margin – %
2013
127.1
2013
18.2
2010
2011
2012
2012
30
2013
15.7
2013
EBITDA – £m
2010
97.4
2011
2011
2012
15.8
2012
Like for like sales growth – %
2013
2010
86.9
2010
15.5
2011
2011
2012
113.2
2013
1.7
Like for like sales growth – %
2010
15.3
2010
97.4
2011
2012
2013
1.7
Earnings per share (diluted) – p
New superstore openings*
86.9
2010
8.0
2011
2012
EBITDA – £m
2013
Ordinary dividend per share – p
2013
2010
2011
2012
2012
2013
127.1
2013
Earnings per share (diluted) – p
2010
29.3
2011
2011
2012
2012
14.0
Gross margin change – basis points
2013
2010
26.9
2010
2011
2011
2012
Gross margin change – basis points
2013
86.9
2010
8.0
2010
8.0
2011
2012
30
2013
40
Ordinary dividend per share – p
Major refits
2010
120
2011
2012
30
Earnings per share (diluted) – p
2013
2013
4
2010
2011
2012
14.0
2012
4
Ordinary dividend per share – p
2013
2010
11.5
2011
2011
8
2012
35.1
2013
16.0
New superstore openings*
2010
2010
9
2011
2012
New superstore openings*
2013
14
2010
26.9
2011
2012
14
2013
14
8.0
2010
2011
2012
14
Ordinary dividend per share – p
2010
2011
2013
* Including relocations.
2010
2012
Major refits
2011
Major refits
2013
2010
2012
2013
2011
2012
2010
2011
2010

10
10
10
10
14.0

4
8.0
4
4
4

10
113.2
10

14
14

40.0

29.3
14.0

97.4

26.9

29.3

-0.6

16.0

16.0

-0.6

16.0

35.1

35.1

120

8.0

11.5

11.5

11.5

40

3.1

9

8

8

9

8.0

8.0

8.0
40.0

190
40.0
190

Operating margin – %
2013
2012
2011
2010

15.7

15.8

15.5

15.3

97.4

EBITDA – £m
2013
2012
2011
Operating margin – %
2010
86.9
2013
Operating margin – %
2012
2013
Earnings per share (diluted) – p
2011
2012
2013
2010
2011
2012
2010
2011
EBITDA – £m
2010
2013
EBITDA – £m
2012
2013
Ordinary dividend per share – p
2011
2012
2013
2010
2011
2012
2010
2011
Earnings per share (diluted) – p
2010
8.0
Earnings per share (diluted) – p
2013
2012
2013
2011
2012
2010
2011
2010
Ordinary dividend per share – p
Ordinary dividend per share – p
2013
2012
2013
2011
2012
2010
2011
2010

127.1

113.2

15.7

15.8

15.7

15.5

15.8

15.3

15.5

15.3

40.0

35.1

29.3

26.9

127.1

113.2

127.1

97.4

113.2

16.0

97.4

14.0

40.0

35.1

40.0

29.3

35.1

26.9

29.3

26.9

16.0

14.0

16.0

14.0

86.9
11.5

86.9

8.0

8.0

11.5

11.5

Sales growth – %

12.2

12.1

9.3

Sales growth – %

2013

Like for like sales growth – %

12.2

1.7

12.1

9.3

3.1

-0.6

Like for like sales growth – %

2013

Gross margin change – basis points

1.7

40

30

-0.6

3.1

Gross margin change – basis points

2013

New superstore openings*

40

30

120

120

10

10

10

10

4

4

4

4

New superstore openings*

2013

Major refits

Major refits

18.2

18.2

8.0

8.0

190

14

14

190

14

14

8

8

9

9

2013

2012

2011

2010

2012

2013

2011

2012

2010

2011

2010

2012

2013

2011

2012

2010

2011

2010

2012

2013

2011

2012

2010

2011

2010

2012

2013

2011

2012

2010

2011

2010

2013

2012

2011

2010

18

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013B
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Tax, PAT and EPS
The tax charge for the year was 24.6% of profit before tax 
compared with 26.0% in the prior year. This reflects the 
reduction in the headline rate of corporation tax to 23.75% 
(2012: 25.50%) as well as a one-off benefit received in 
2012 as a result of a project that increased the level of 
assets qualifying for capital allowances. We expect the tax 
charge to trend approximately 100 bps above of the 
headline Corporation Tax rate going forward. This 
difference is mainly due to depreciation charged on 
non-qualifying capital expenditure.

Profit after tax was £81.5m (2012: £71.2m), an increase of 
14.4%.

Basic earnings per share for the year ended 29 June 2013 
was 40.2p (2012: 35.3p), an increase of 13.9%. Fully diluted 
EPS increased by 14.0% to 40.0p (2012: 35.1p).

Capital expenditure
Gross capital expenditure in the financial year was £26.5m 
compared with £38.6m last year. Significant investments 
were made in order to support continued growth and 
development of the Superstore portfolio with the addition 
of 14 new stores (58% of capital expenditure) and 14 refits. 
The remaining investment related mainly to IT activities, 
including a refresh of till systems, initial work on upgrading 
our core enterprise system (‘SAP’) due to be completed 
this autumn and initial work on implementing a new 
technology platform for our multi-channel offer.

Working capital
Investment in working capital increased by £3.4m over the 
year, primarily as a result of additional stock to support 
the expansion in the store estate, partially offset by lower 
average inventories per store.

Cash position and dividend
Dunelm remains a highly cash generative business. In 2013 
the Group generated £100.4m (2012: £91.9m) of net cash 
from operating activities, an increase of 9.2%. Net cash 
resources at the end of the year were £44.7m (2012: 
£65.2m) with daily average cleared funds over the course 
of the financial year £66.2m (2012: £57.6m).

An interim dividend of 4.5p was paid in April 2013 (2012: 
4.0p). It is proposed to pay a final dividend of 11.5p per 
share (2012: 10.0p). The total dividend of 16.0p represents 
a 14.3% increase over last year reflecting the Group’s 
strong financial performance and leaves dividend cover of 
2.5x, in line with our target. This dividend will be paid on 
20 December 2013 to shareholders on the register at the 
close of business on 29 November 2013.

The Board reviews the Group’s funding position on a 
regular basis and has concluded that access to committed 
lines of external funding is not required in the short term. 
Dunelm continues to maintain uncommitted lines of 
funding with partner banks whilst trading with a positive 
net cash position.

Additional returns to shareholders
The Group’s policy is to maintain cash resources such  
that it is able to invest in the four pillars of its strategy  
and in addition to take advantage of investment 
opportunities as and when they arise, for example 
freehold property acquisitions. It also remains committed 
to returning excess capital to shareholders from time to 
time where these cash resources are materially in excess 
of investment requirements. 

During the year, the Group returned excess capital  
of £65.8m (32.5p per share) to shareholders via a B/C 
share scheme.

In keeping with its capital policy and taking into account 
the Group’s current financial strength; anticipated trading 
performance; its known and anticipated investment plans; 
and the level of cash available, the Board has also 
announced that surplus cash amounting to £50.7m (25.0p 
per share) will be returned to shareholders in the form of a 
special dividend. This will be paid on 11 October 2013 to 
shareholders on the register at the close of business on 20 
September 2013. 

Share buyback
The Board has decided to commence the purchase of shares 
to hold in treasury in order to satisfy future exercises of 
options granted under incentive plans and other share 
schemes. This will avoid issuing new shares, which has been 
our general practice historically. This programme will 
commence in October 2013 and over time we expect to 
build a holding equivalent to approximately 60% of 
outstanding options at any time (currently 2.3m options).

Financial risk and treasury management
The Group Board has established an overall Treasury 
Policy, day-to-day management of which is delegated to 
the Finance Director. This policy ensures the following;

•	 Effective management of all Clearing Bank operations.

•	 Access to appropriate levels of funding and liquidity.

•	 Optimal investment of surplus cash within approved 

risk/return profile.

•	 Appropriate management of foreign exchange 

exposures and cash flows.

Key performance indicators
In addition to the traditional financial measures of sales 
and profits, the Directors review business performance 
each month using a range of other KPIs. These include 
measures shown on page 18, opposite.

David Stead
Finance Director

12 September 2013

19

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Key risks and uncertainties

In common with all businesses, Dunelm faces risks 
and uncertainties, the effective management of 
which is necessary to enable us to achieve our 
strategic objectives and to secure our business 
for the long term.

Our risk management process aims to ensure that 
the business balances both risk and reward and 
makes sound judgements as to likelihood and 
impact. 

Periodic risk identification and assessment 
workshops are in place involving senior 
management representing all parts of the business 
to review the risk profile of the organisation and  
to assess the potential likelihood and impact of 
those risks. The Group’s Risk Register, which lists 
and ranks the risks in terms of both potential 
impact as well as relative importance, is updated 
following these workshops. 

Quarterly reviews of these risks and the controls  
in place to address them are undertaken by 
management and the Board gains assurance 
through twice yearly reviews, as well as by  
regular challenge to the executive team.

Further details of our governance and risk 
framework is set out in the Corporate Governance 
report on pages 36 to 42.

Our assessment of the principal risks facing the 
business are set out below:

The Board has overall 
responsibility for risk 
management, internal control 
and business continuity and 
determines the nature and extent 
of the risks it is willing to take

Key – Link to strategy

  Develop our specialist proposition
 Expand our store portfolio

 Grow multi-channel
  Develop and exploit our infrastructure

Brand 
reputation, 
product and 
service quality

Performance 
Indicator:
Product complaints  
and recalls

Executive 
responsibility:
Nick Wharton, 
Chief Executive

Impact 
compared  
to 2011/12:
Increasing

Description
The quality and safety of our stores products and 
services (including coffee shops) is essential to 
the business. If our specialist proposition fails to 
deliver this there is a risk that individuals could be 
harmed and that reputational damage could lead 
to consumers, colleagues and other stakeholders 
losing confidence in the brand.

contained in the Groups ‘Food Safety Manual’. 
Staff certification is compulsory and risk 
assessments, equipment inspections and 
compliance audits are in constant use to ensure 
standards are maintained.

•	 We continue to invest in a re-fit programme to 

ensure stores remain contemporary and provide 
a high quality shopping environment.

Mitigation
•	 We have a range of policies specifying the 

quality of products and production processes 
that are signed up to by suppliers.

•	 We operate a full test schedule for all new 

products and on a sample basis for ongoing 
lines, overseen by our specialist Technology 
team. This also covers human rights concerns.

•	 Food hygiene is maintained through the 
adoption of clear operating guidelines 

•	 All our operating locations are subject to 

regular health and safety compliance audits 
to ensure they provide a safe and secure 
environment.

Progress in 2012/13
•	 Our policies and procedures have been 

reviewed and updated.

•	 Our product recall procedure has been 

reviewed.

20

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013

 
 
 
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Description
The Group competes with a wide variety of 
retailers both in-store and online. Failure to 
maintain a competitive offer in the Homewares 
market on multiple fronts (price, range, quality 
and service) could materially impact returns and 
limit opportunities for growth.

Mitigation
•	 The Board continually monitors Group 

performance within the Homewares market and 
against specific competitive threats.

•	 Continuous brand tracking also operates 

to gauge relative customer perception and 
experience.

•	 We have a strong focus on new product 
development, both in existing and new 
homewares categories, to strengthen our 
specialist proposition.

•	 We are investing significant resource to develop 
and enhance our multi-channel customer offer.

Progress in 2012/13
•	 We are now the UK’s leading homewares 

retailer with a market share of 6.9%.

•	 We have redirected the tasks of our colleagues 
in-store towards activities which enhance the 
customer experience.

•	 We have Introduced a new customer feedback 
system which enables us to react quickly to 
both positive and negative feedback.

•	 Increased marketing expenditure has helped 

raise awareness of our brand.

•	 Our online sales now account for 4.1% of total 

sales (up from 2.5% in 2011/12).

Description
The Group risks incurring penalties, damages 
claims and reputational damage arising from 
failure to comply with legislative or regulatory 
requirements across many areas including but not 
limited to, trading, health and safety, employment 
law, data protection, Bribery Act, advertising, 
human rights and the environment.

•	 Operational management are also responsible 
for liaising with the Company Secretary and 
external advisers to ensure that potential 
issues from new legislation are identified and 
managed.

•	 We have a whistle-blowing procedure and 
helpline which enables colleagues to raise 
concerns in confidence.

Mitigation
•	 We operate a number of policies and codes 

of practice outlining mandatory requirements 
within the business governing behaviours in 
all key areas. These are regularly reviewed and 
updated.

Progress in 2012/13
•	 Training on the requirements of the Bribery Act 
and on competition law has been extended to 
relevant colleagues.

•	 Human Resources policies and health and 

safety policies and procedures are kept under 
constant review. For further details please see 
our Corporate social responsibility report on 
pages 24 to 32.

Description
We are dependent on the reliability and capability 
of key information systems and technology. 
A major incident (including a cyber-attack), 
sustained performance problems or failure to 
keep technology up to date could constitute a 
significant threat to the business, at least in the 
short term.

Mitigation
•	 All business critical systems are based on 

established, industry leading package solutions, 
with full support in place.

•	 We have a disaster recovery strategy designed 

to ensure continuity of trade.

Progress in 2012/13
•	 We have recruited a Chief Information Officer 
and we have increased investment in our IT 
function.

•	 We have commenced a major upgrade of our 
core SAP system which should be completed 
in 2013.

•	 We have commenced the upgrade of our 

multi-channel platform due to be completed in 
2013/14.

•	 Disaster recovery plans have been reviewed in 

2012/13 and all have been tested.

Competition

Performance 
Indicator:
Market share

Executive 
responsibility:
Nick Wharton, 
Chief Executive

Impact 
compared  
to 2011/12:
Same

Compliance

Performance 
Indicator:
Prosecution and 
other regulatory 
action

Executive 
responsibility:
Nick Wharton, 
Chief Executive

Impact 
compared  
to 2011/12:
Same

Information 
technology

Performance 
Indicator:
Number of major 
incidents

Executive 
responsibility:
Nick Wharton, 
Chief Executive

Impact 
compared  
to 2011/12:
Increasing

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013

21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Key risks and uncertainties continued

Economic 
uncertainty

Performance 
Indicator:
Financial 
performance 
relative to 
competitors

Executive 
responsibility:
Nick Wharton, 
Chief Executive

Impact 
compared  
to 2011/12:
Same

Commodity 
prices

Performance 
Indicator:
Gross margin

Executive 
responsibility:
David Stead,  
Finance Director

Impact 
compared  
to 2011/12:
Reducing

Description
Consumer confidence remains relatively low. This 
may result in difficult trading conditions in the 
retail sector as a whole limiting profitability and 
growth opportunities.

Progress in 2012/13
•	 We continue to offer a range of targeted 

promotions both on our regular range and ‘one 
off’ products.

•	 Permanent price reductions have been made in 

certain core ranges.

•	 Our range of own brand products at lower 

prices has been expanded.

Progress in 2012/13
•	 16.2% of our products are now sourced directly 

from the Far East (14.3% 2011/12).

•	 Foreign currency hedging has been increased 

to provide a greater level of certainty in 
commercial decision making.

Mitigation
•	 We offer goods across a range of price points, 

enabling customers to trade up or down as they 
wish.

•	 Our focus on maintaining a low cost base 
enables us to keep prices competitive.

•	 We monitor competitor pricing and consumer 

behaviour to enable us to adjust our offer 
quickly where needed.

Description
Significant cost price increases and high levels 
of volatility have been a feature of retailing 
over recent years particularly freight rates, raw 
materials, energy and exchange rates. Failure to 
manage and control these changes may lead to 
pressure on margins and adversely impact the 
financial results.

Mitigation
•	 Dunelm uses its scale, buying power and 

growth to secure supply of key raw materials at 
competitive prices.

•	 Increased direct sourcing of products from the 

Far East has mitigated cost increases.

•	 Freight rates, energy and currency are bought 

forward to help mitigate volatility and aid 
margin management.

Progress in 2012/13
•	 Our strategy for the acquisition of sites in key 
catchment areas remains under regular review.

•	 We have legally completed on 10 new stores 

due to open in 2013/14 and beyond.

Portfolio 
expansion

Performance 
Indicator:
Number of new 
store openings and 
pipeline

Executive 
responsibility:
Nick Wharton, 
Chief Executive

Impact 
compared  
to 2011/12:
Increasing

Description
Availability of vacant or new retail space in the 
right location is essential to deliver our growth 
plans. Inability to secure or develop the required 
retail trading space to deliver our superstore 
format will limit our pace of expansion or force us 
to compromise our offer.

Mitigation
•	 Our Group Property Director actively monitors 
availability of retail space with the support of 
professional advisers.

•	 Financial modelling helps us assess the viability 

of potential sites.

•	 The Group’s strong cash generation and debt-
free status provide an attractive covenant to 
landlords and the ability to acquire freehold 
units if appropriate.

22
22 Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
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Infrastructure

Performance 
Indicator:
n/a

Executive 
responsibility:
Nick Wharton, 
Chief Executive

Impact 
compared  
to 2011/12:
Increasing

Finance and 
treasury

Performance 
Indicator:
Available funds

Executive 
responsibility:
David Stead, 
Finance Director

Impact 
compared  
to 2011/12:
Same

Description
The Group could suffer the loss of a major facility 
with a consequent impact on short-term trading 
or diversion of focus from longer-term strategy 
and planning. This could materially affect the 
profitability of the business. 

•	 Suppliers – The Group seeks to mitigate this 
risk by limiting the dependency on individual 
suppliers and by actively managing key supplier 
relationships. High stock service levels and a 
high proportion of direct-to-store deliveries 
further mitigate supply chain risk.

The Group could suffer the loss of a major supply 
partner also impacting short-term trading.

Mitigation
•	 Physical infrastructure – Head office, workroom, 
multi-channel and distribution centre activities 
are all subject to disaster recovery plans and 
could all operate from fall back facilities.

Progress in 2012/13
•	 We have carried out desk-top simulations of 

disaster scenarios affecting our major facilities.

•	 We have moved away from UK supplies to 

direct sourcing from factories in cases where 
supplier capability issues were identified.

Description
Lack of appropriate levels of cash resources or 
exposure to significant variations in interest rates 
or exchange rates could have an impact on the 
Group’s operations and growth plans.

Progress in 2012/13
•	 We returned £65.8m of cash to shareholders 
in November 2012, in addition to our ordinary 
dividend.

•	 Net cash reserves at the end of the year were 

Mitigation
•	 We have significant cash surpluses and further 
uncommitted borrowing facilities with partner 
banks to fund growth plans. In addition, cash 
flows are monitored weekly against agreed 
budgets.

•	 A Group Treasury Policy is in place to govern 
cash management strategies and to control 
foreign exchange exposures.

£44.7m.

•	 We have announced a further special dividend 
worth £50.7m to be paid on 11 October 2013.

Key personnel

Performance 
Indicator:
Colleague 
retention

Executive 
responsibility:
Nick Wharton, 
Chief Executive

Impact 
compared  
to 2011/12:
Reducing

Description
The success of Dunelm is dependent upon the 
availability of talented senior management. 
The business could be vulnerable to the loss of 
individual key managers.

Mitigation
•	 The composition of the Executive team is kept 
under constant review by the Board to ensure 
that it is appropriate to deliver the growth plans 
of the business.

•	 Succession plans and annual appraisals are in 

place across the Group.

•	 The Executive Board seeks to develop high 
calibre individuals through sponsored talent 
management and succession planning.

•	 The Group’s remuneration policy detailed 

on page 48 is designed to ensure that high 
calibre executives are attracted and retained. 
Lock-in of senior management is supported by 
awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan and 
Company Share Option Plan. 

Progress in 2012/13
•	 In 2012/13 a Chief Information Officer was 

appointed at Executive Board level to support 
the future growth needs of the business.

•	 No members of the Executive Board or 

Leadership Group have left the business in 
2012/13.

Nick Wharton 
Chief Executive   

David Stead
Finance Director

12 September 2013

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013

23
23

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Social Responsibility report (CSR)

We take CSR seriously  
because it matters to our  
customers and our colleagues,  
it affects profitability and it is 
important for our reputation

Highlights
 > Zero waste to landfill achieved in December 2012

 > ‘Customer First’ programme focuses colleague 

time on customer facing activities

 > Colleague engagement survey completed and 

colleague council relaunched

 > New combined supplier technical and ethical audit 

standard introduced

24 Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013

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Our key CSR considerations

Customers

Colleagues

Health
and Safety 

Suppliers

Environment

Community

CSR Consideration
Customers

Colleagues

Health and Safety

Suppliers

Environment

Community

Why it matters to Dunelm
The success and future growth of our business depends on us being able to 
deliver a wide choice of products and services to our customers, that are 
great value, from a convenient location

We employ over 8,000 colleagues across our stores and in our distribution, 
manufacturing and store support centre locations. Without their hard work 
and dedication we would be unable to deliver great products and services to 
our customers and successfully grow and develop our business

We recognise that we have a duty of care to ensure the health and safety of 
customers, colleagues, contractors and all other visitors to our premises. 
Health and safety risk management is an integral part of the core standards 
that we set for our business

We do not manufacture our own products, therefore we need to maintain 
relationships with suppliers and manufacturers worldwide who can meet our 
high standards for design, innovation, quality and value. These suppliers must 
also demonstrate that they operate in accordance with recognised standards 
that uphold human rights

We recognise that we have a responsibility to manage the impact of our 
business on the environment both now and in the future. The Group is 
committed to controlling and minimising the impact of its operations in  
the key areas of waste management, energy consumption and carbon  
(CO2) emissions
As a responsible retailer, we are committed to supporting charities, both on a 
national and a local basis

How do we manage CSR?

We do not treat CSR as a separate function: Ultimate accountability rests with the Board; individual Directors and 
senior managers have responsibility for CSR topics through their role accountabilities.

The diagram below sets out how we manage CSR matters:

Board

Overall responsibility 
for CSR

•	 Approve	policies
•	 Executive	members	have	line	responsibility	for	

Executive Board

Members have line 
responsibility for managing 
specific CSR topics

managing	specific	CSR	topics	

•	 Monitor	KPIs	through	Board	reports
•	 Annual	presentations	on	health	and	safety	and		

suppliers	(ethical	trading)

•	 KPIs	monitored	by	the	Executive	Board

Dialogue and 
Communication

•	 Customers:	through	social	media
•	 Colleagues:	In-house	magazine	and	through	Colleagues’	Council	
•	 Suppliers:	Annual	conference	and	meetings	throughout	the	year
•	 Others:	social	media,	corporate	website

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013

25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CSR Report continued

Customers
Champion: Chief Operating Officer

What do we do?
We aim to provide to our customers:

•	 Great products and services, that are safe, legally 

compliant and competitively priced.

•	 Excellent service in store, online and through 

customercare.

•	 Stores that are safe and accessible.
•	 Fair and truthful marketing.

What have we achieved this year?

2012/13 objectives
Continue to collect and act on feedback from our 
customers

Refocus colleague tasks in-store

Achievements
Weekly survey measures customer satisfaction

Quarterly survey covers a range of measures against our 
competitors

Results fed back into our customer offer and the 
‘Customer First’ programme

We rolled out our ‘Customer First’ training programme 
so colleagues now spend more time on customer-facing 
activities 

Continue to improve our service to multi-channel customers We launched our first catalogue in the autumn, followed 

by a spring version

Same day service offered on ‘Reserve and Collect’

We upgraded our website to make it easier to navigate 
and to optimise performance for tablet users

Other achievements
Awards:
•	 UK’s second favourite homewares retailer according to the 2013 Verdict survey (fourth in previous year). 
•	 Readers of House Beautiful magazine voted us the Home Retailer of the year Gold Award for 2012 (second year 

running).

2013/14 objectives:
•	 Further development of our ‘Customer First’ initiative to enhance the customer experience in-store.
•	 A major upgrade of our online store to enable us to offer a far larger range of products for home delivery.
•	 Improved delivery service for online and catalogue orders from our new fulfilment centre.
•	 Roll out of our ‘Dunelm at Home’ bespoke curtain and window treatment service.

26

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Colleagues
Champion: Finance Director

What do we do?
We are a growing business and we need to be able 
to attract and retain colleagues to help us deliver our 
development plans. We offer a competitive remuneration 
and benefits package, including our annual sharesave 
scheme which is open to all colleagues.

We are an equal opportunities employer; our policy is to 
recruit, develop, promote and retain skilled and motivated 
people regardless of disability, race, religion or belief, sex, 
sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status 
or age.

We maintain regular communication with all colleagues, through store manager ‘huddles’, our Dunelm Gazette 
magazine which is published at least quarterly, and via the computer-based ‘Dunelm Academy’, to which all 
colleagues have access. We also operate a Colleagues’ Council, through which colleague representatives can raise 
and discuss ideas and concerns with senior management. Concerns raised are then fed back to the Executive Board 
for consideration and action. In addition we run an annual colleague engagement survey the output of which also is 
fed back to the Executive Board and actions agreed.

We offer a range of training and development opportunities to colleagues at all levels of the business. These include:

•	 Nationally accredited modern apprenticeships and NVQs.
•	 Our graduate programme, which leads to an Institute of Leadership and Management qualification.
•	 Support for colleagues studying for professional qualifications, such as in finance, HR and IT.
•	 A range of workshops in key management skills, such as leadership and communications.
•	 Interactive computer based product knowledge and other training.

What have we achieved this year?

2012/13 objectives
Double the number of places on our graduate programme We recruited 17 graduates in September 2012 

Achievements

(compared with 6 in 2011)

Conduct an employee engagement survey across the 
Group

Survey completed in September 2012 and a further 
survey planned for September 2013

Colleagues’ Council will be relaunched

Continue to improve our colleague training opportunities, 
through structured programmes and additional modules 
on the Dunelm Academy

Work with partners to provide opportunities to the 
unemployed

This was relaunched across the business with a set 
timetable for local and area meetings. Feedback and 
suggestions are put forward every six months to our 
Executive Board

Significant training programme launched for all store 
based colleagues under the ‘Customer First’ initiative. 
We continue to invest in training for all colleagues 
including product knowledge and management 
development programmes

We have continued to provide work experience 
opportunities for the long-term unemployed this year 
and developed strong relationships with Job Centre 
Plus. We continue to offer enhanced support to job 
applicants who have been unemployed for six 
months or more

Other achievements
We launched the role of Team Leader across all stores with clear accountabilities and opportunities to develop into 
management.

A suite of management development workshops was launched to all Team Leaders across our stores and to first line 
managers within our Store Support Centre.

Successfully opened 14 new stores with fully recruited teams.

2013/14 objectives
•	 Review of our current careers website to be undertaken.
•	 Roll-out second module of our ‘Customer First’ programme to all retail colleagues.
•	 Roll-out a ‘Customer First’ Programme to all non-retail areas of the business.
•	 Continue to develop and deliver learning and development initiatives to meet the needs of the business. 
•	 Respond to issues and opportunities identified from the engagement survey taking place in September.
•	 Continue to recruit and train colleagues in line with our new store opening programme.

27

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationCSR Report continued

Health and safety
Champion: Chief Operating Officer

What do we do?
The Board is ultimately responsible for the creation and implementation of our health and safety policy and procedures, 
which include an effective system of ‘upward’ and ‘downward’ communication, appropriate standards for monitoring 
performance and for ensuring that sufficient resources are available to support this activity.

Health and safety is a standard agenda item at every Board meeting and the Board receives a monthly report and a 
formal annual presentation from the Group’s Health and Safety manager.

Regular Health and Safety review meetings held between the Group’s Health and Safety Manager and senior 
management from key operational functions. These meetings ensure risks are understood and that relevant mitigating 
action has been taken to provide a safe environment.

Each store manager is responsible for ensuring the implementation of health and safety policy and procedures in his or 
her store, supported by the area manager and the Group Health and Safety Manager. Risk assessments are in place and 
updated as required.

We have an in-house health and safety audit document, which proactively addresses health and safety risk and is 
updated every six months. The audit covers stores, workplace transport, store development, warehousing and the  
store support centre. Our stores complete an online self audit monthly and area managers audit all of their stores at 
least once a year. This is backed up by our in-house operational audit team and followed up by the Group Health and 
Safety Manager.

We have an ongoing programme of education and training, including DVDs and interactive computer based learning.

What have we achieved this year?

2012/2013 Objectives
Further utilise and develop the intranet and e-learning 
systems for training and central recording of site 
documentation
Review and improve our key risk controls for:

Achievements
We have introduced a Training and Development team 
within the HR department to manage the training for all 
colleagues assisted through e-learning

•	 Fire Safety
•	 Work Related Road Safety
•	 Workplace Transport

Annual extinguisher training introduced
Driver guide fully reviewed
Six monthly driver survey completed

Other achievements
By targeting high standards of compliance to Company procedures and using positive reinforcement of success 
achieved, we have been able to improve compliance against our internal audit to 89% for 2012/13 (82% 2011/12). We 
have seen an accident rate of 3.9 accidents for every 100,000 visits (up from 3.5 in 2011/12), which reflects our focus on 
ensuring that all accidents are recorded, however minor. The proportion of accidents involving very minor incidents (no 
treatment required) is high: 52% of customer accident reports and 42% of colleague reports. 

Customer accidents
Actions taken to address two key areas for accidents to customers have seen excellent results:

•	 Car Park trips – six monthly inspection surveys with remedial repairs have been implemented which has resulted in a 
50% reduction in reported accidents from this cause in January to June 2013 compared with the previous six months.

•	 Falling canvasses – Adjustments to our display stands have resulted in a 32% reduction in reported accidents from 

this cause in January to June 2013 compared with the previous six months.

Colleague accidents
The extended use of ‘totes’ for stock deliveries and the introduction of plastic pallets in place of wooden pallets has led 
to a reduction in colleague accidents:

•	 Deliveries – a reduction of 24% of accidents in January to June 2013 compared to the previous six months.
•	 Replenishment – a reduction of 38% of accidents in January to June 2013 compared with the previous six months.

2013/14 objectives
•	 Review and update Health and Safety training DVDs.
•	 Develop an online accident reporting system.
•	 Development of new claim handling procedures in line with requirements of legal reforms.

28

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Suppliers
Champion: Buying Director

What do we do?
We work with our suppliers to ensure that our products are produced in clean and safe environments, that workers are 
treated with respect and earn a reasonable wage and that suppliers work within the relevant local laws and regulations. 
All direct suppliers are required to sign up to our ‘Code of Conduct’ enforced by a full programme of independent factory 
audits at least every three years, based on the Ethical Trading Initiative (‘ETI’) base code. Following the well publicised 
factory fire in Bangladesh (not a Dunelm supplier) we extended our audit to specifically cover building safety.

Where non-conformances are discovered we have a formal procedure for working with a supplier to help them achieve 
compliance, usually within three months. The majority of non-conformances arise from the absence of records. Critical 
non-conformances such as use of child labour or absence of valid Building Certificate are escalated immediately and 
supplies cease until the issue has been resolved. Ultimately if progress is inadequate we will cease to trade with the supplier.

We aim to treat all of our suppliers fairly and consistently. We ask all of our suppliers to sign our standard terms and 
conditions. All new suppliers are made aware of the basis of trade with Dunelm and in particular our standard payment 
terms in advance of commencing trade. The number of days’ purchases outstanding for payment at 29 June 2013 was 
29 days (2012: 30 days).

What have we achieved this year?

2012/13 objectives
Work with partners to develop in-house ethical auditing 
expertise
Upgrade supplier ethical audit database to give us greater 
visibility

Achievements
New in-house combined technical and ethical audit 
implemented from December 2012– includes building safety
Database cleansed and updated

Other achievements
We have formalised commercial arrangements with a small number of partners in the Far East – this will enable us to 
monitor adherence to our policies more closely.

2013/14 objectives
•	 Join SEDEX to gain better visibility of supply chain standards.
•	 Set targets for key suppliers to improve workplace conditions beyond the minimum.
•	 New sustainability standards to be introduced – to encourage better water usage, reduction of harmful effluents, use 

of recycled materials and energy efficiency.

•	 Procedure to be implemented to ensure full traceability for timber and paper products.

Community
Champion: Marketing Director

What do we do?
We adopt a ‘charity of the year’, for which collections are made in-store, specific fund-raising 
events are organised and the Group makes its own donations. Each store has a ‘Charity 
Champion’ and amounts raised by store are reported monthly, with the top three recognised 
in the Dunelm Gazette. We also support colleagues who are raising money for charities of 
their choice, often by matching the sums raised.

We have a monthly payroll lottery, half of the proceeds of this go to our chosen charity.

We do not make any political donations.

What have we achieved this year?
2012/13 objectives
Support our Charity of the Year, Wallace and Gromit’s 
children’s charity whose objectives are to improve the 
quality of life of sick children in hospitals and hospices 
across the United Kingdom

Achievements
Funds were raised through a variety of ways, including  
our payroll lottery, the annual Friends and Family night,  
(a themed fancy dress fundraising evening in store), 
through sale of pin badges, bake sales, fancy dress days, 
sample sales and the ‘Wrong Trousers’ day

The total value of donations made by the Group in the year ended 29 June 2013 was £80,000 (2012: £97,000). Total 
funds raised for charity by the Group and colleagues was £205,000 (2012: £192,000).

2013/14 objectives
•	 During 2013/14 our charity of the year will be Barnardo’s.
•	 We will continue to support our colleagues in their charitable fundraising efforts.

29

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationCSR Report continued

Environment
Champion: Finance Director

Dunelm recognises that it has a responsibility to manage  
the impact of its business on the environment both now  
and in the future. The Group is committed to controlling  
and minimising the impact of its operations, directly and 
indirectly in the key areas of waste management, energy 
consumption and carbon (CO2) emissions.

The Group has an ‘Environment Committee’ consisting of 
senior managers representing key areas of the business.  
This team is tasked with the development and implementation 
of strategy as well as ongoing monitoring to achieve high levels of environmental performance.

Our progress over the past financial year and our goals for the forthcoming year are detailed below:

1. Waste recycling 

What do we do?
Dunelm is committed to increasing the volume of waste which is recycled and to reducing the volume of waste going to 
landfill. This commitment is championed by our National Recycling Manager. 

During the year the company has continued to develop its ‘Recycle at Work’ initiative. This program ensures that 
colleagues are engaged and supported to deal appropriately with waste at a site-by-site level. All superstores and 
warehouses are equipped with balers to process waste at source, while colour coded bins and signage supports further 
grading and segregation of other waste streams. This initiative is underpinned by annual site audits to ensure ongoing 
compliance and improvement. 

In the year we have invested in an industrial paper shredder. This adds to our capabilities and means that our national 
recycling centre can now recycle all of our cardboard, plastics, paper, confidential paper, bottles and cans. This 
investment, combined with our drive in stores has increased the level of recycled waste to 82% (2012: 76%)

We have also engaged our suppliers to review the specification of packaging used to maximise recyclable content. All 
plastic packaging is now clear LDPE (‘Low Density Polyethylene’), this product having a much greater recyclable 
content. The use of polystyrene has also been reduced.

This drive to improve our level of recycling has allowed us to divert all of our waste from landfill. Any waste that is not 
recycled within the business is sent offsite for further sortation, to extract other recyclable content, and the remaining 
‘general waste’ is incinerated in a waste to energy plant with carbon capture technology.

What have we achieved this year?

2012/13 objectives
Reduce all waste to landfill to zero
Increase use of reusable totes in the supply chain Deliveries in reusable totes now account for 17% of all supplier deliveries

Achievements
Dunelm achieved a ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ status in December 2012.

2013-14 objectives
•	 To maintain ‘zero waste to landfill’. 
•	 To increase the recycled element of waste to over 90%. 
•	 To reduce the level of polystyrene in packaging by 50%.

Waste recycled (all stores) – %

90

82

76

68

50

09/10

10/11

11/12

12/13 Target 
13/14

Landfill
Waste to Energy
Recycled previous years 
Target 2013/14

100

80

60

40

20

0

30

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 20132. Energy usage

What do we do?
Energy reduction on a site-by-site basis has been a key focus for the Group in the last financial year. 

Dunelm fit AMR (‘Automatic Meter Reading’) smart meters in all sites to monitor and control all electricity and gas 
supplies. Data on energy consumption is pulsed through on a half-hourly basis allowing us to profile high or unusual 
patterns, target specific sites and to monitor the success of our energy reduction initiatives.

All investments in new and refitted stores now come with a Building Management System (‘BMS’) as standard. This 
BMS is designed to optimise energy usage across the site while maintaining an appropriate shopping environment for 
our customers and colleagues. At the end of the year we had 118 stores (2012: 101) with BMS. 

As a result of these actions we have reduced electricity usage in like-for-like stores by over 8% during the past three 
years. Last year in isolation, however, saw an increase of 1.2% as a result of extended operating hours as well as very 
unseasonal weather through a wet summer and historically cold March.

Achievements
Target missed, Electricity consumption increased by 1.2% 
(see above) 

2013/14 objectives
•	 To reduce electricity by 5% in LFL stores.
•	 To reduce gas usage by 10% in LFL stores.
•	 Fully trial LED lighting technologies in new stores.

What have we achieved this year?

2012/13 objectives
To reduce electricity usage by 5% in LFL stores

Y-O-Y Reduction in electricity consumption  
(LFL stores) – %

7.0%

6.0%

5.0%

4.0%

3.0%

2.0%

1.0%

0.0%

-1.0%

-2.0%

6.3

5.0

2.4

3.2

-1.2

09/10

10/11

11/12

12/13

Target 
13/14

3. Carbon emissions (CO2)

What do we do?
Dunelm participate in the Environment Agency’s Carbon Reduction Commitment (‘CRC’) 
scheme and have submitted annual reports for the last three years. During this time we  
have reduced our CO2 equivalent emissions per ft2 of selling space by 13%. The Group’s 
carbon footprint from these ‘core’ supplies was 26,747 tonnes of CO2 (2012: 23,234 tonnes), 
a year-on-year increase of 9 tonnes per store.

Over the past year we have continued to source electricity from ‘Green Energy’ supplies such as combined heat and 
power sources where CO2 emissions are 30% lower than the national average. We have also signed a new energy 
supply agreement which commits the business to this source of energy for the next two years. 

We continue to reduce the emissions generated by our company car fleet. Average emissions were 114 CO2 g/km (2012: 
120 CO2 g/km) driven by the many fuel efficient options that exist on our car schemes. 

During the year Dunelm achieved reaccreditation with the Carbon Trust Standard (‘CTS’) recognising our success and 
commitment to reducing our carbon footprint. This certification lasts until December 2014 and underlines our 
continuing commitment in this area. 

The Group has continued its association with a specialist partner to consult on our energy buying strategy, investments 
in energy saving technology and to further focus on reducing our carbon emissions.

This year we will focus on building design, in-store environment and investments to reduce consumption further. 
Continued investment and optimisation of BMS will remain a strategic goal and we aim to complete a full ‘store-wide’ 
LED lighting trial. 

31

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationCSR Report continued

3. Carbon emissions (CO2) continued

What have we achieved this year?
2012/13 objectives
Work with partners to focus on carbon emissions 
Reduce relative CO2 emissions per ft2 year on year

Carbon emissions – tonnes per store

235

220

194

203

200

250

200

150

100

50

0

09/10

10/11

11/12

12/13

Target 
13/14

4. Product packaging

Achievements
Achieved (See previous page)
Achieved

2013/14 objectives
•	 To reduce relative CO2 emissions year on year.
•	 To trial electricity generation from solar panels.

What do we do?
Dunelm continues to work with suppliers to reduce the absolute level of product packaging whilst at the same time 
improving its recyclable content.

In the year we have audited many of our waste streams to divert materials from landfill where possible. Most recently we 
have identified a particular specification of clear plastic or wrap that should be used by suppliers. This will be the 
standard for all suppliers going forward. 

The Group is promoting a reduction in the use of ‘single-use’ carrier bags and has implemented a charge for these bags 
in all stores in Wales and Northern Ireland in line with legislation.

What have we achieved this year?
2012/13 objectives
Reduce number of carrier bags per store by 10%
Roll out use of totes

2013/14 objectives:

•	 Eliminate polystyrene in all packaging.
•	 Increase recyclability of all product packaging. 

Nick Wharton
Chief Executive

12 September 2013

Achievements
Achieved
Achieved 17% of goods delivered to store via national 
carrier scheme in totes

32

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
Chairman’s letter

Dear Shareholder
Governance has remained at the top of the external 
business agenda over the past year and we have 
continued to evolve our own arrangements in response.

In my letter last year I outlined our approach to 
governance, which is set out in detail in the corporate 
governance report which follows this letter. Put simply, we 
believe that sound governance is an essential requirement 
for long-term, sustainable growth and we apply 
regulatory guidelines in a pragmatic way that adds value 
to your Board and your Company.

Our appointment of Liz Doherty as an additional Non-
Executive Director in May is part of our succession plan 
for the Board. Liz has broad operational and financial 
experience and a strong track record across a number of 
retail and consumer businesses, both here in the UK and 
abroad. Her experience of branding, marketing and 
multi-channel will be particularly valuable as the Dunelm 
business continues to grow.

In January we held our second Corporate Governance 
presentation, attended by a number of our major 
institutional shareholders and their representative bodies. 
We had an open discussion of a number of topics that are 
important to our shareholders and ourselves, including 
succession, remuneration and risk. Following on from this, 
we have made some changes to the performance-related 
remuneration of our Executive Directors, which Marion 
Sears, Chair of the Remuneration Committee, explains in 
her report. 

In response to the increasing requirements of regulators 
and investors for us to focus more on risk, we have 
widened the terms of reference of our Audit Committee, 
which now becomes the Audit and Risk Committee. 
Notwithstanding the formal committee requirements, we 
see management of risk as a whole Board issue; we have 
also formally considered our ‘risk appetite’ in the context 
of our strategy discussions. 

As required by the Corporate Governance Code, we 
appointed an independent third party to carry out our 
Board evaluation. The overall conclusion was that the 
Board is operating effectively and is closely aligned to the 
culture of the business. Further details are described in 
the Corporate Governance report.

In accordance with emerging best practice, we have 
defined and adopted an Investor Relations strategy, which 
includes our Corporate Governance presentation. 
Consequently, we have refreshed our investor relations 
website and included more content, particularly on 
Corporate Social Responsibility. We believe our Non-
Executive Directors have more contact with institutional 
investors than our peers, through attendance at results 
presentations and a selection of the shareholder meetings 
which follow.

At our AGM this year we will again be seeking authority to 
buy back shares to satisfy employee share option 
entitlements. In view of Will Adderley’s shareholding of 
30.48% we will also need to request a waiver under the 
Takeover Code. We have listened to shareholder concerns 
about ‘creeping control’, and in the Corporate Governance 
report we have drawn more explicit attention to the 
safeguards against this, which we hope shareholders will 
consider in a positive light.

Yours sincerely

Geoff Cooper
Chairman

12 September 2013

33

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationDirectors and officers

1

4

7

Committee memberships 
Audit Committee member
Nominations Committee member
Remuneration Committee member

Bill Adderley Founder and Life President
Together with his wife Jean, founded the business in 1979. 
Although no longer on the Board or actively involved in 
management, Bill and Jean remain major shareholders.

34

2

5

8

3

6

9

1.  Geoff Cooper
Non-Executive Chairman 

Key strengths: A current CEO with extensive experience in 
international general management, the retail sector, finance and 
IT. Long-standing plc experience and shareholder 
understanding.
Dunelm role: Chairs the Board. Member of the Remuneration 
and Nominations Committees and attends Audit and Risk 
Committee meetings by invitation.
Regularly visits stores to meet store colleagues and members of 
the senior management team. Leads investor presentations and 
attends shareholder meetings. 
Joined Dunelm Board: November 2004.
Previous Experience: Qualified accountant. Formerly a Director 
of Gateway (subsequently Somerfield plc). Then Finance 
Director and subsequently Deputy Chief Executive of Alliance 
UniChem plc.
Other Commitments: Chief Executive of Travis Perkins plc; 
Non-Executive Chairman of Bourne Leisure Holdings Limited.

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
2.  Nick Wharton
Chief Executive Officer

Key strengths: Finance background, plc board experience and 
shareholder understanding, predominantly in retail. Strong 
process and operational focus. Knowledge and experience of 
e-commerce and Continental European retail markets. 
Dunelm role: Leads the Group and chairs the Executive Board. 
In addition to his Board role, provides liaison with the 
Remuneration Committee for pay below Board level.
Joined Dunelm Board: August 2009 as an Independent 
Non-Executive Director. Appointed as CEO-designate in 
December 2010 and became CEO in February 2011.
Previous Experience: Qualified accountant. Early career in blue 
chip FMCG/retail businesses such as Cadbury and Boots. 
Formerly Finance Director of Halfords Group plc.
Other Commitments: None.

3.  Will Adderley
Executive Deputy Chairman 

Key strengths: Has worked in and is familiar with, all parts of 
the Group. Specific product strengths in buying and trading 
with strong and long-standing supplier relationships. Has been 
instrumental in growing the Group to its current size having,  
as the former CEO, developed the out-of-town format in the 
late 1990s. 
Dunelm role: Member of the Nominations Committee and 
attends Remuneration Committee meetings by invitation. A 
major shareholder, who spends his time on strategic activities 
which protect and enhance shareholder value and embed the 
Group’s culture and values.
Joined Dunelm Board: 1992, and has worked for Dunelm for his 
whole career. He took over the day-to-day running of the Group 
from his father in 1996. Remained as Chief Executive through 
the Group’s IPO in 2006. Became Deputy Chairman in February 
2011.
Previous Experience: All parts of Dunelm’s business.
Other Commitments: None.

4.  David Stead
Executive Finance Director

Key strengths: Finance background and extensive plc 
experience. Understanding of investor community and 
company secretarial matters. An experienced strategic and 
financial perspective across all Group functions. 
Dunelm role: Leads the finance and HR departments, as well as 
taking responsibility for a number of cross-functional initiatives. 
Participates in Audit and Risk Committee meetings by invitation 
and sits on the Executive Board.
Joined Dunelm Board: September 2003.
Previous Experience: Qualified accountant. Formerly 14 years 
at Boots where he was Finance Director of Boots The Chemists 
and Finance Director of Boots Healthcare International.
Other Commitments: None.

5.  Simon Emeny
Non-Executive Director 

Key strengths: A current CEO with extensive general 
management experience in a retail model, customer service and 
hospitality expertise. Long-standing plc experience and 
shareholder understanding.
Dunelm role: Regularly visits stores to meet store colleagues 
and members of the senior management team. Attends investor 
presentations and shareholder meetings.
Joined Dunelm Board: June 2007.
Previous Experience: Sales and marketing, customer service 
and general management in the brewing and hospitality sector.
Other Commitments: Chief Executive of Fuller Smith and 
Turner plc.

6.  Marion Sears
Non-Executive Senior Independent Director 

Chair of Nominations and Remuneration Committees.
Key strengths: Extensive City, investor and banking experience 
including mergers and acquisitions. Customer focused and 
strategic. Long-standing plc experience and shareholder 
understanding.
Dunelm role: Regularly visits stores to meet store staff and 
members of the senior management team. Together with the 
Chairman, takes specific responsibility for co-ordinating the 
Board’s corporate governance duties and for liaising with 
shareholders on corporate governance matters. Attends 
investor presentations and shareholder meetings.
Joined Dunelm Board: July 2004.
Previous Experience: Robert Fleming, JP Morgan Investment 
Banking. 
Other Commitments: Non-Executive Director of Persimmon 
plc, Fidelity European Values plc and Octopus AIM and  
VCT plc.

7.  Matt Davies
Non-Executive Director 

Chair of Audit and Risk Committee.
Key strengths: A current CEO with extensive general 
management experience in retail with focus on HR, marketing, 
trading and customer service. A successful track record of 
building a branded out-of-town retail group nationwide in the 
UK with a strong service offer. Experience of the private equity 
industry and business model.
Dunelm role: Regularly visits stores to meet store colleagues 
and members of the senior management team. Attends investor 
presentations and shareholder meetings. Chairs the Audit and 
Risk Committee.
Joined Dunelm Board: February 2012.
Previous Experience: Qualified accountant. CEO of Pets 
at Home.
Other Commitments: Chief Executive Officer of Halfords 
Group plc

8.  Liz Doherty
Non-Executive Director 

Key strengths: A former CFO with extensive operational 
experience in international consumer and retail businesses, 
specifically with brands, marketing and online. Long-standing 
plc experience and shareholder understanding.
Dunelm role: Regularly visits stores to meet store colleagues 
and members of the senior management team. Attends investor 
presentations and shareholder meetings.
Joined Dunelm Board: May 2013.
Previous Experience: Qualified accountant. Finance Director of 
Reckitt Benckiser plc, Brambles Limited (Australia) and Group 
International Finance Director of Tesco plc.
Other Commitments: Non-Executive Director of Nokia 
Corporation and Delhaize Group.

9.  Dawn Durrant
Company Secretary

Key strengths: Extensive plc company secretarial and legal 
experience including corporate governance, legal and 
regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, company and 
commercial, retail and consumer law.
Dunelm role: Responsible for governance, legal and regulatory 
matters.
Joined Dunelm: November 2011
Previous Experience: Qualified as a solicitor at Allen & Overy. 
Company Secretary of Geest plc.
Other Commitments: None.

35

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate governance report

“ We believe that sound Governance is an essential requirement 
for long-term sustainable growth.”
2012/13 summary

Principal activities
- Full compliance with the Corporate Governance Code during the period
- Liz Doherty appointed to the Board as Non-Executive Director
- Corporate Governance presentation to investors held in January 2013
- Audit Committee becomes Audit and Risk Committee and specific Board consideration of risk appetite
- External Board evaluation conducted
- All Directors submitted for reappointment at the AGM
- Corporate website refreshed and content expanded
- Investor engagement policy formalised
- Further engagement with proxy advisers
- Rule 9 waiver approved to enable share buybacks; further approval sought at this year’s AGM

Overview
Our approach to governance can be summarised as follows:

•	 We believe that good governance leads to stronger value creation and lower risks for shareholders.
•	 We support corporate governance guidelines and seek to apply them in a way that is meaningful to our business and 

consistent with our culture and values. 

•	 If we decide that the interests of the Company and its shareholders can be better served by doing things in a 

different way, we will explain the reasons why. 

•	 We believe that the Board’s governance role includes to instil and maintain a culture of honesty, integrity and 
transparency throughout the business, through our policies, communications and by the way in which we act.

For more information please see the copy of the presentations that we made to our major institutional investors and 
shareholder representatives in January 2012 and 2013, available in the ‘Reports and Presentations’ section of our 
corporate website. 

Code compliance
This report explains how we have applied the principles of good governance and code of best practice set out in the 
Corporate Governance Code (the ‘Corporate Governance Code’) published in June 2010.

At the end of the financial year, the Board considers that it is fully compliant with the Corporate Governance Code.

Board role and composition
The role of the Board is to set the strategy that will secure the continued growth of the Group over the long term in  
the interests of its shareholders, whilst preserving and enhancing our culture. In doing so we take account of our 
responsibilities to colleagues, customers, the community in which we operate and the interests of our other stakeholders.

Within this context, the Board has overall responsibility for controlling the Group, making decisions relating to the 
Group’s strategic direction and measuring progress towards strategic goals.

Board balance and committee membership is fully compliant with the requirements of the Corporate Governance Code. 

The names and roles of each of the Directors are set out in the table below. Liz Doherty was appointed to the Board on 
1 May 2013.

The Board considers that Geoff Cooper was independent on appointment and that Marion Sears, Simon Emeny, Matt 

Geoff Cooper 
Chair

Executives

Will Adderley 
Deputy Chair

Nick Wharton 
Chief Executive

David Stead 
Finance Director

Independent 
Non–Executives

Matt Davies 
Non–Executive 
Director 

Marion Sears 
Senior 
Independent 
Director 

Simon Emeny 
Non–Executive 
Director 
Liz Doherty 
Non–Executive 
Director

36

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Davies and Liz Doherty are independent. Overall the Board considers that there is a good balance of Executive and 
Non-Executive Directors.

Two directors, Geoff Cooper and Marion Sears, will have served nine years on the Board during the 2013/14 financial 
year (seven years since flotation of the Company). The Board has specifically considered whether they continue to 
exhibit independence of character and judgement, and confirmed that they do. As noted in the report of the 
Nominations Committee, Board refreshment is a continued area of focus and the tenure of Directors is being considered 
as we manage succession over the next few years. Our policy on Board diversity is explained in the Nominations report.

The Board has adopted written statements setting out the respective responsibilities of the Chairman, Executive 
Deputy Chairman and the Chief Executive; these are available on the Group’s website or from the Company Secretary. 
In general terms, the Chairman is responsible for running the Board and the Chief Executive is responsible for running 
the Group’s business, supported by the Executive Deputy Chairman who focuses specifically on strategic activities 
which protect and enhance shareholder value and embed the Group’s culture and values.

Board attendance
The Board held eight meetings in the course of the year, one of which was dedicated to a formal review of strategy. 
Attendance at meetings was as follows:

Senior Independent Director and Chair of Remuneration and Nominations Committees

Director

Role

Geoff Cooper Non-Executive Chairman
Marion Sears
Will Adderley Executive Deputy Chairman
Simon Emeny Independent Non-Executive Director
Nick Wharton Chief Executive
David Stead
Matt Davies
Liz Doherty

Finance Director
Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of Audit and Risk Committee
Independent Non-Executive Director

Meetings 
attended:

8
8
72
8
8
8
72
21

1  Liz Doherty attended all Board meetings since her appointment.

2  Directors make every effort to attend all meetings. A number of meetings needed to be rearranged during the year, and unfortunately Matt Davies and 
Will Adderley were each unable to attend one meeting. They still received the Board papers, and passed on comments in advance of the meeting via 
the Chairman.

Board activities
There is a schedule of matters reserved to 
the Board for decision or approval, which is 
available on the Group’s website or from the 
Company Secretary. Examples of such 
matters include Group strategy and budget, 
Group capital structure, approval of financial 
results and report and accounts, significant 
capital or contractual commitments, 
maintaining internal control and risk 
management and approval of significant 
Group-wide policies.

At each meeting, the Chief Executive and the 
Finance Director report on operational 
performance (including health and safety) 
and the Finance Director reports on financial 
performance. There is a rolling agenda of 
other operational, strategic and risk topics 
which is regularly refreshed to reflect the 
most up to date strategy and ‘live’ issues in 
the business. The principal topics discussed 
by the Board in 2012/13 were:

Areas of Focus
 Strategic
 Risk
 Operational 
 Assurance

•Strategy

•Risk review

•Budget

•Board balance 
and diversity

•Risk appetite

•Health and safety

•Board and senior 

management succession

•Return of cash 
to shareholders

Areas of focus

•Bribery Act

•IT security

•Treasury policy

•Competitor activity
•Customer survey 
and mystery shop

  •Colleague engagement survey
Multi–channel development

•Brand awareness

•Refocus of store 

colleague activities

•Direct sourcing

•New product 
development

•AGM voting 

and feedback

•Investor feedback 

via advisers

•Corporate Governance 

presentation

37

Board

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationCorporate governance report continued

Minutes of all Board and Committee meetings are taken by the Company Secretary and committee secretary 
respectively and circulated for approval. Any unresolved concerns raised by a Director are recorded in the minutes.

Non-Executive Director Meetings
The Chairman and the other Non-Executive Directors met twice during the year without Executive Directors being 
present and regularly have informal individual meetings with the Executive Directors and other senior managers in  
the business, usually at a store location. In addition the Non-Executive Directors meet at least once a year without  
the Chairman present as part of the Board effectiveness review process, which includes a formal review of the 
Chairman’s performance.

Board committees
The Board has appointed three committees, an Audit and Risk Committee, a Nominations Committee and a 
Remuneration Committee. The terms of reference of each of these committees can be found on the Group’s website 
and are available from the Company Secretary. 

During the period, the Audit Committee was renamed the Audit and Risk Committee and its terms of reference were 
widened, to reflect its increased focus on management of risk.

Details of the membership of the committees and of their activities during the past financial year can be found in the 
reports from the Chair of each of the committees on pages 43 to 59.

Training and induction
Upon joining the Board, any new Director is offered a comprehensive and tailored induction programme with visits to 
key sites and meetings with senior managers and other colleagues. For example, on appointment Liz Doherty was given 
access to recent Board and Committee papers, including strategy documentation. She met with each of the Executive 
Directors and the Company Secretary and visited a store with the Senior Independent Director. She toured the Group’s 
warehouse with the Board in July, and will take part in the store visit programme described below.

As part of each Director’s annual review any additional training or development needs are addressed. Please see the 
Directors’ biographies on pages 34 and 35 for details of the specific skills and experience of each Director.

Throughout the year all Directors have visited stores both informally and together with members of the senior 
management team. Feedback is given at the following Board meeting. Two Board meetings were also held near a store 
(Oxford and Kettering) and were followed by a store tour.

The Company Secretary reports monthly to the Board on new legal, regulatory and governance developments that 
affect the Group and actions are agreed where needed. The Board also received presentations from independent 
advisers on financial and governance issues. Directors attend seminars and tutorials provided by independent 
organisations which cover the whole range of governance topics.

Evaluation
Each of the Directors receives a formal evaluation of their performance during the year.

The Board and Committees are also formally evaluated as a whole.

Actions implemented during the period as a result of our 2012 evaluation included:

•	 Board agenda was refocused on significant strategic and decision items.
•	 We reviewed how the Board communicates with our stakeholders and considered it to be appropriate.
•	 Succession planning below Board level was considered.

This year Condign Board Consulting, an independent third party provider of Board evaluation services, was appointed 
to carry out our first external evaluation. Condign had no previous business relationship with the Group or any of the 
Directors and it is not intended that they be engaged to provide services of any other type to the Company in the 
future. The evaluation consisted of individual interviews with each Director and the Company Secretary, attendance at a 
Board meeting as an observer and review of Board packs. 

The evaluation confirmed that:

•	 The Board is operating effectively and is closely aligned to the culture of the business.
•	 Appropriate balance is being achieved between governance, strategic and operational matters.
•	 NED succession planning is still an important area of focus.

Agreed actions planned as a result of the evaluation include:

•	 The Board succession plan will remain a regular Board agenda item (alongside formal Nominations Committee meetings).
•	 More time to be spent defining the Board’s risk appetite.
•	 Contacts between NEDs and between NEDs and Executive Directors/Executive Board members, to be  

timetabled formally.

38

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Investor relations and understanding shareholder views
We formalised our Investor Relations Strategy in 2013 and it is available on our corporate website. The main elements 
are:

Event

Results presentation
Twice a year

Meetings with institutional investors (‘roadshow’)
Twice a year

Adderley family dinner
Twice a year

AGM
Once a year

Company attendees

Presented by Chief Executive and Finance Director
Attended by all Directors

Chief Executive and Finance Director
Chairman and Non–Executive Directors attend a 
selection of meetings

All Directors and Company Secretary

All Directors and Company Secretary

Corporate governance presentation
Usually once a year

Analyst and shareholder presentation at store
Every two or three years

Chairman and Non–Executive Directors
Representative of the Adderley family

Chief Executive and Finance Director
Other senior managers

The Chief Executive and the Finance Director report back to the Board after the investor roadshows. The Group’s 
brokers also provide a written feedback report and attend a Board meeting annually to discuss investor views. 

The Corporate Governance presentation was hosted by Geoff Cooper, the Chairman and the other Non-Executive 
Directors in January 2013, with the Deputy Chairman Will Adderley representing the Adderley family shareholding. 14 
institutional investors and investor representatives attended. The presentation covered our approach to corporate 
governance, risk, audit, remuneration, nominations, corporate social responsibility, changes since last year and live 
issues. We find this a useful way to communicate and exchange views outside the busy pre AGM period, and it has been 
well received by attendees.

We also offered to meet with the main proxy advisers and Marion Sears, the Senior Independent Director and Dawn 
Durrant, the Company Secretary, met with two of them separately to explain our governance approach.

We upgraded our corporate website in September, to make it more user-friendly and also to add information and policies 
in relation to governance and corporate social responsibility. Please see http://dunelm-mill.production.investis.com

All Directors will be available at the Annual General Meeting to meet with shareholders and answer their questions. 

Rule 9 waiver
We will be requesting authority to buy back up to 5m shares (2.5% of our share capital) at the AGM. As our Deputy 
Chairman, Will Adderley, has a beneficial interest in 30.48% of our share capital, in order to exercise this right we have 
to ask shareholders to approve a waiver of Rule 9 of the Takeover Code, which would otherwise require him to make an 
offer to buy all of the shares in the Company. We understand that a number of shareholders have concerns about Rule 
9 waivers in general, as they can lead to major shareholders gaining ‘creeping control’; as a result they automatically 
vote ‘against’ the resolution.

We would like to reassure shareholders that:

•	 Shares bought back by the Company would be held in treasury and used only to satisfy share option entitlements, 

and not cancelled.

•	 From 2012, Will Adderley no longer participates in the Long Term Incentive Plan and therefore his shareholding will 

not increase through that mechanism.

•	 Since flotation of the Company in 2006, the Adderley family has reduced its holding (from 67% to just over 54% 

currently).

•	 There has been a Relationship Agreement in place since flotation which provides safeguards to other shareholders 

– for details please see the Directors’ Report on page 60.

We therefore request that shareholders take into account our specific circumstances when making their voting decision 
in relation to the waiver resolution.

Significant shareholders
The Group’s significant shareholders are listed in the Directors’ report on page 62 and voting rights are stated on  
page 60.

39

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationCorporate governance report continued

Conflicts of interest
The Companies Act 2006 allows the Board of a public company to authorise conflicts and potential conflicts of interest 
of individual Directors where the Articles of Association contain a provision to that effect. The Company’s Articles of 
Association give the Board this authority subject to the following safeguards:

•	 Directors who have an interest in matters under discussion at a Board meeting must declare that interest and abstain 

from voting.

•	 Only Directors who have no interest in the matter being considered are able to approve a conflict of interest and, in 

taking that decision the Directors must act in a way they consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the 
success of the Company. 

The Directors are able to impose limits or conditions when giving authorisation if they feel this is appropriate. 

All Directors are required to disclose any actual or potential conflicts to the Board and the following existing conflicts 
have been considered and approved:

•	 Will Adderley is a major shareholder and connected to other major shareholders. Authorised on the basis that Mr 

Adderley continues to abide by the terms of the Relationship Agreement entered into between himself, other major 
shareholders and the Company on flotation of the Company in 2006.

•	 Geoff Cooper is a Director of Travis Perkins plc which potentially competes with the Company for retail property. 

Authorised on the basis that Mr Cooper is not involved in day to day decisions in relation to the property portfolio in 
either Company.

There were no other matters disclosed that are considered by the Board to give rise to a conflict of interest.

Any conflicts are considered by the Board and any authorisations given are recorded in the Board minutes and 
reviewed annually by the Board.

The Board considers that its procedures to approve conflicts of interest and potential conflicts of interest are operating 
effectively.

Appointment and removal of Directors
The Articles of Association of the Company provide that a Director may be appointed by ordinary resolution of the 
Company’s shareholders in general meeting, or by the Board so long as the Director stands down and offers himself for 
election at the next Annual General Meeting of the Company. The Articles also provide that each Director must stand 
down and offer him or herself for re-election by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting at least every three years. 
The Board has decided to adopt the requirement of the Corporate Governance Code, that all Directors should stand 
down and offer themselves for re-election at each Annual General Meeting.

Directors may be removed by a special resolution of shareholders, or by an ordinary resolution of which special notice 
has been given in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. The Articles also provide that the office of a Director shall 
be vacated if he is prohibited by law from being a Director, or is bankrupt; and that the Board may resolve that his office 
be vacated if he is of unsound mind or is absent from Board meetings without consent for six months or more. A 
Director may also resign from the Board.

The Nominations Committee makes recommendations to the Board on the appointment and removal of Directors.

In accordance with the Corporate Governance Code, all Directors will retire from the Board and offer themselves for 
re-election at the Annual General Meeting.

Powers of Directors
The business of the Company is managed by the Board, which may exercise all of the powers of the Company, subject 
to the requirements of the Companies Act, the Articles of Association of the Company and any special resolution of the 
Company. As stated above, the Board has adopted internal delegations of authority in accordance with the Code and 
these set out matters which are reserved to the Board or committees and the powers and duties of the Chairman, the 
Executive Deputy Chairman and the Chief Executive respectively.

At the Annual General Meetings of the Company from 2007 onwards, the Board sought and was given authority to 
issue shares and to buy back and reissue shares. Similar resolutions are being tabled at the 2013 Annual General 
Meeting, together with a waiver of any obligation of Will Adderley under the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers to 
make an offer for all of the shares of the Company if the authority to buy back shares is used. Any shares bought back 
would be held in treasury for reissue to employees who exercise options under one of the Group’s share incentive 
schemes. For further details see the Notice of Annual General Meeting which accompanies this report.

Advice and insurance
All Directors have access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary. In addition Directors may seek legal 
advice at the Group’s cost if they consider it necessary in connection with their duties.

The Group purchases Directors’ and Officers’ Liability insurance cover for its Directors.

40

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Articles of Association
The Company’s Articles of Association may only be amended by a special resolution of shareholders. 

Governance and risk
•	 Risk is a ‘whole Board’ matter for Dunelm. We do not have a separate Risk Committee, although we have renamed 
our Audit Committee as the Audit and Risk Committee, to reflect the additional risk activities that it is undertaking.

We believe that risk is best managed by a combination of the following:

•	 Formal risk management processes as described in this report.
•	 The Board and senior management leading by example.
•	 Alignment through shareholding.
•	 Embedding our culture and ethics.

Throughout the year and up to the date of approval of this Annual Report there has been in place an established, 
ongoing process for identifying, evaluating and managing the significant risks faced by the Group. The process has 
been reviewed by the Audit and Risk Committee and the Board and is in accordance with the Turnbull Guidance on 
Internal Control for Directors.

The diagram below sets out how responsibility for risk management is allocated.

Board

Collective responsibility for 
managing risk

•	 Formal	risk	review	twice	annually
•	 Consideration	of	‘what	keeps	us	awake	at	night’
•	 Standard	agenda	items
•	 Regular	timetabled	presentations
•	 Regular	‘Deep	Dive’	reviews
•	 Monitor	KPIs	through	Board	reports
•	 Executive	members	have	line	responsibility	for	

managing	specific	risks

Audit and Risk 
Committee

Oversees risk management 
process

•	 Formal	risk	review	twice	annually
•	 Selects	topics	for	“Deep	Dive”	reviews

Executive Board

Members have line responsibility  
for managing specific risk areas

•	 Periodic	review	of	risk	register
•	 Participate	in	annual	risk	review	process

•	 Risk management is a collective Board responsibility. Risks are reviewed formally twice a year and separately 

management consider ‘what keeps us awake at night’. Important risk topics are covered in-depth either by regular 
timetabled presentations (e.g. health and safety), by ‘Deep Dive’ discussions (e.g. supply chain security), or regularly 
as a standard agenda item (e.g. competitor activity). In addition, KPIs covering risk topics are contained in the 
standard reports presented at each meeting.

•	 The Audit and Risk Committee is responsible for overseeing the risk management framework. Risks are reviewed by 
the Committee formally twice a year. Risk topics selected by the Audit and Risk Committee are considered ‘in-depth’ 
at Board meetings, supported by a paper prepared by the relevant executive. In the period topics covered included 
IT disaster planning, cyber security and Bribery Act compliance.

•	 In February, we revised the terms of reference of the Audit Committee and renamed it the Audit and Risk Committee, 
to reflect the increasing onus on Boards to understand and manage risk. We did consider whether a separate risk 
committee should be formed, but decided against this in the light of the size of the Board and our belief that the 
Board as a whole is responsible for managing risk.

•	 A register of major strategic and operational risks is maintained. Each risk is documented, together with the 

mitigating factors and controls in place to manage it. Risks are assessed in terms of impact and likelihood and the 
‘top 10’ risks are identified for specific focus. A member of the Executive Board is allocated responsibility for 
management of each risk.

•	 The Executive Board reviews the risk register periodically throughout the year. It is presented twice per annum to  

the Audit and Risk Committee and key risks and mitigating actions are taken on to the Board agenda for monitoring  
as appropriate.

41

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationCorporate governance report continued

Internal control and internal audit
The Board is responsible for the Group’s system of internal control and for reviewing its effectiveness. The diagram 
below summarises the Group’s system.

Board

Audit and Risk 
Committee

Executive Board

Internal Audit 
Programme

Operational  
Audit Team

Collective responsibility 
for internal control

Oversees effectiveness of 
internal control

•	 Formal list of matters 
reserved for decision 
by the Board

•	 Control framework 

setting out 
responsibilities
•	 Approval of key 
policies and 
procedures

•	 Monitors performance

•	 Approves internal 
audit programme

•	 Receives reports from 

auditors

•	 Receives reports 

generated through the 
internal audit 
programme

The system of internal control comprises:

•	 Responsible for 

•	 Reviews specific 

operating within the 
control framework 
•	 Reviews and monitors 

matters selected by 
the Audit and Risk 
Committee

•	 Reviews compliance 
with certain internal 
procedures in store 
and at other locations

compliance with 
policies and 
procedures

•	 Recommends changes 
to controls/policies 
where needed

•	 Monitors performance

•	 A list of matters specifically reserved for Board approval, for example significant capital expenditure.
•	 A well-established control framework comprising clear structures and accountabilities for colleagues, well 

understood policies and procedures and budgeting and review processes. 

•	 Each Head of Department and store manager has clear responsibilities and operates within defined policies and 

procedures covering such areas as financial targets, human resources management, customer service, health and safety. 
•	 The Executive Directors and Executive Board monitor compliance with these policies and procedures in the course of 

regular reviews.

•	 In addition there is a rolling programme of review of store compliance by the operational audit team.

The Audit and Risk Committee has oversight of the system of internal controls and of the internal audit programme (see 
below) and receives the report of the external auditor following the annual statutory audit. 

In February 2013, the Audit and Risk Committee reconsidered whether an internal audit function is required. In previous 
years the Committee has not considered this to be necessary in view of the adequacy of internal and risk management 
controls and reporting in place, the relatively low level of complexity in the business and the close involvement of the 
Executive Directors in the operation of the business. This assessment was supported by KPMG.

However, as the business grows in size and complexity, the Committee has decided that some internal audit activities 
should be undertaken. These could be carried out either by external or internal teams, reporting to the Audit and Risk 
Committee. The programme will be in place from 2013/14 and will initially cover topics including business continuity, 
compliance with delegated authorities and employment taxes.

Please note that internal control systems such as this are designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure to 
achieve business objectives and can provide only reasonable and not absolute, assurance against material loss or 
accounting misstatement.

Bribery Act 2010
Following the coming into force of the Bribery Act in July 2011, we have reviewed the procedures in place to ensure that 
we are able to comply with its requirements. Actions taken include:

•	 Anti-corruption and anti-bribery policy implemented.
•	 The policy on acceptance of gifts and other privileges has been updated and a formal procedure has been 

implemented for signing off and logging hospitality.

•	 Executive Board members and Heads of Department have received training and also signed a declaration of 

compliance, which is an annual process.

•	 Standard terms and conditions for suppliers include a Bribery Act clause.
•	 The Whistleblowing Policy refers specifically to the Bribery Act.

Actions taken in the past financial year include:

•	 Training extended to the whole of the Buying, Merchandising and Quality teams.
•	 Formalising agreement terms with certain ‘high risk’ partners.
•	 Induction for relevant individuals to include a briefing on policy requirements.

Geoff Cooper
Chairman

12 September 2013.

42

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Letter from the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee

“ We have reflected the external  
focus on management of risk by 
widening the terms of reference  
of the Committee.”

Matt Davies
Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee

Dear Shareholder,
Much external discussion in relation to corporate governance in the past year has focused on management of risk and 
we have reflected this by renaming and widening the terms of reference of this Committee to encompass risk as well as 
audit. This change formalises activities already in place, with the Committee taking oversight of the processes for 
managing risk and its standing agenda items already including topics such as fraud and Bribery Act.

As in previous years, we have reviewed the need for an internal audit function. Recognising the increasing size and 
complexity of the business, we have decided that some element of assurance is now appropriate. We have identified a 
series of areas to be reviewed and on which reports will be provided to the Committee, with the reviews being carried 
out by a combination of internal and external expertise, depending on the subject matter. We consider that this 
approach will be both flexible and cost effective.

The Committee is aware of a growing trend towards rotation of external auditors. It is our intention to invite tenders for 
the 2013/14 audit.

Finally, shareholders will note that this year advisory fees paid by us to KPMG, our auditor, exceeded the audit fee. This 
was principally due to advice taken to help us structure and implement the B/C share scheme used to return capital to 
shareholders in November 2012. KPMG advised on the similar return of capital in 2010 and so were in the best position 
to help us. In addition, there was a specific project on capital allowances. The level of advisory fees paid to KPMG in the 
period was £154,917 versus the audit fee of £76,900. The committee considered that the independence of the audit was 
not affected, and I expect non-audit fees to return to a normal level from 2013/14.

I look forward to meeting shareholders at the AGM.

Yours sincerely,

Matt Davies
Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee

12 September 2013.

43

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationAudit and Risk Committee report

2012/13 summary

Principal activities
- Committee renamed Audit and Risk Committee and terms of reference widened
- Internal audit programme established
- Decision to tender statutory audit in 2013/14

This report provides details of the role of the Audit and Risk Committee and the work it has undertaken during the year.

The purpose of the Committee is to oversee the integrity of the Group’s financial statements and public announcements 
relating to financial performance, to oversee the audit process, monitor the effectiveness of financial controls and the 
process for identifying and managing risk throughout the Group. In February 2013, the Committee was renamed the 
Audit and Risk Committee, and its terms of reference updated to include a formal review of the Board’s risk appetite. 
These changes reflect the increasing role that the Committee is undertaking in the oversight of risk in the business.

The full terms of reference for the Committee can be found via the Group’s website, www.dunelm.com.

The Committee has approved a policy which allows employees to raise legitimate concerns in confidence without fear 
of discrimination.

The following Directors served on the Committee during the year:

Member

Matt Davies (Chair)
Marion Sears
Simon Emeny
Liz Doherty

Period from:

To:

8 February 2012
18 January 2005
25 June 2007
1 May 2013

To date
To date
To date
To date

The Company Secretary acts as secretary to the Committee.

The Finance Director, the Chief Executive and the Chairman of the Board usually attend meetings by invitation, along 
with a representative from the external auditors. 

The Board considers that I have recent and relevant financial experience by virtue of my professional qualification and 
my executive role as Chief Executive of Halfords Group plc. 

Committee activities in 2012/13
Two meetings were held in the year and members’ attendance was as shown in the table below. 

Member

Matt Davies
Marion Sears
Simon Emeny
Liz Doherty

Meetings attended:

2
2
2
01

1 There was no Committee meeting between the appointment of Liz Doherty on 1 May 2013 and the period end.

During the year the activities of the Committee included:

Routine items
•	 Approval of the full year results issued in September 2012 and the half year results issued in February 2013.
•	 Review of the process for identifying and managing risk within the business in September 2012, including a review of 

the risk register, and a mid year update of these in February 2013.

•	 Verification of the independence of the auditor and approval of the scope of the audit plan and the audit fee.
•	 Review and confirmation of the Group’s policy for use of the auditors for non-audit work (please see below).
•	 Review of fraud and Bribery Act controls are standing agenda items for each meeting.

Specific topics
•	 Following our annual review of the requirement for an internal audit function, a programme of internal audit work has 

been agreed (please see below).

•	 The schedule of risk topics to be considered in-depth at Board meetings was updated, in the period they included 

cyber security, IT disaster planning and Bribery Act compliance.

•	 It was agreed that the Board should specifically consider the risk appetite of the Group – this happened as part of 

the Board’s annual strategy review in May and will be monitored by the Committee.

•	 We considered the draft proposals by the United Kingdom Financial Reporting Council and by the European Union 

that would require companies to tender their external auditor and decided to tender the audit in 2013/14.

External auditor
The Group reappointed KPMG Audit plc as external auditor for the financial year ended 29 June 2013. The Group paid 
KPMG £76,900 in relation to the statutory audit of the Group and Company financial statements and the audit of Group 
subsidiaries pursuant to legislation. 

44

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013The Committee had the opportunity to meet privately with the auditors during the period. 

Use of auditors for non-audit work
The Committee is aware that the use of audit firms for non-audit work is a sensitive issue for our shareholders and 
corporate governance analysts, as it could potentially give rise to a conflict of interest.

Our policy is simple – we will only use auditors for non-audit work if:

•	 they offer demonstrably better capability than alternative providers; and 
•	 there is no potential conflict with the independence of the audit.

We have a relatively flat management structure and all work commissioned by our auditor is required to be sanctioned 
by the Finance Director, who consults with the Committee Chairman if the fee involved is significant or if there are any 
issues regarding independence. Therefore we do not consider that any more complex guidelines are needed.

During the year, our audit fee was £76,900 and fees for work carried out by KPMG on other projects were £154,917 
broken down as follows:

Project 

Fee Comment

Tax advice on 
return of capital via 
B/C share scheme

Capital Allowances 
Project

£65,000 KPMG advised on the previous return of cash in 2010 and therefore had the most relevant 

expertise of this specific structure

£51,567 KPMG have previous relevant experience of the business thereby providing demonstratively 

better value in a tender process

Tax Compliance

£29,600 KPMG have previous relevant experience of the business and so were the most appropriate 

partner

Miscellaneous  
Tax Advice

£5,000 KPMG have knowledge gained though previous tax projects and so were the most appropriate 

partner

Other

£3,750 KPMG have previous relevant experience of the business and so were the most appropriate 

partner

Fees for non-audit services therefore exceeded the audit fee, however this is mainly due to the use of KPMG to advise 
on our return of capital and the capital allowances project. Non-audit fees are expected to return to a normal level In 
2013/14.

Tender of external audit
The Committee discussed the regulatory proposals that would require a compulsory tender of the statutory audit. 
Whilst compulsory tendering is not yet required, the Committee nevertheless decided to initiate a tender process  
in respect of the 2013/14 statutory audit. At least one firm outside the ‘Big Four’ will be invited to participate in the 
tender process.

Internal audit
Prior to 2013, the Committee considered that an internal audit function was not required in view of the adequacy of 
financial controls in place and the relatively low level of complexity in the business. 

Given the continuing growth of the business in terms of both scale and complexity, in February 2013 the Committee 
agreed that a programme of internal audit work should be devised and implemented. 

The work will be conducted either by an internal team that is independent of the activity under review, or by an external 
party, decided on a case by case basis. In either case, the review will be conducted on behalf of the Committee and will 
report back to them.

The initial areas to be covered are:

Review topic

Reviewed by

Processes for setting authority limits and ensuring adherence

Internal team working alongside of the external auditors

Adequacy of disaster planning and business continuity plans 
and procedures

Specialist external business continuity consultants

Ability to comply with mandatory carbon reporting requirements External auditors

Compliance with PAYE, NI and other relevant employment taxes External accountancy firm

This report was reviewed and approved by the Committee on 12 September 2013.

Matt Davies
Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee

12 September 2013

45

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationLetter from the Chair of the Remuneration Committee

“ The majority of remuneration earned 
by the executives during the year was 
performance-based and resulted from 
strong operating performance.”

Marion Sears
Chair of the Remuneration Committee 

Dear Shareholder,
In the year to 29 June 2013 there were no changes to executive remuneration policy other than the introduction of 
claw-back to unvested share options under performance-related pay. The majority of remuneration earned by the 
executives during the year was performance-based and resulted from strong operating performance, reflected in our 
share price, which increased by 89% to 947p during the year.

Dunelm again performed well in a difficult retail market. We exceeded budget EPS by 3.9% and the compound annual 
growth rate in EPS over the last three years has exceeded RPI by 10.4%. Accordingly, the Directors will receive a bonus 
award of 97% of salary, and 86.7% of the LTIP award made in 2010 will vest. Nick Wharton has been CEO since 2010 and 
this is the first LTIP to vest to him, making a significant increase in his total remuneration compared with previous years. 
He will retain these vesting LTIP shares (after sale of shares to cover his tax and national insurance liability) as he builds 
towards his target shareholding of two times salary after five years. 

We are again being fully transparent and following best practice by publishing the single number for remuneration for 
each of the Executive Directors.

We are increasingly conscious that Dunelm’s growth rate, which is faster than the market growth rate, means that our 
comparator peer group is changing significantly. We will keep this under review and will consult shareholders over the 
implications of this if appropriate. 

Looking forward, in 2013/14 the Executive Directors will receive a 2% increase in base salary, in line with the Group 
average, although Will Adderley has again declined this increase and will be paid the same base salary as last year and 
the year before. The Non-Executive Directors’ fees have been increased with effect from 1 July 2013, for the first time 
since 2010, following a bench marking exercise. We continue to position ourselves at ‘median-or-below’ levels; the 
Chairman’s fee is now £120,000 per year and the standard Non-Executive fee is £40,000 per year with an additional 
£5,000 fee for committee chairmanship. Going forward, Non-Executive Director fees will increase annually in line with 
the Company average.

The Remuneration Committee has also introduced two refinements to executive performance related pay with effect 
from 1 July 2013 to ensure we remain in line with best practice. For annual bonus, the performance condition continues 
to be calculated according to the same formula as before, but progress on strategic development of the business will be 
used to inform the discretionary element relating to personal objectives. For the LTIP we have introduced a two year 
deferral period which will be added onto the (unchanged) three year performance testing period. The purpose of both 
of these changes is to focus management attention firmly on long-term strategy implementation and to align 
management with long-term shareholders’ interests.

I look forward to meeting shareholders at the AGM in November.

Yours sincerely,

Marion Sears
Chair of the Remuneration Committee 

12 September 2013

46

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Remuneration report

Remuneration report
The Directors present their Remuneration Report for the period ended 29 June 2013. 

2012/13 summary

Principal activities
- No change to remuneration policy in the year
-  Nick Wharton and David Stead received an increase to base salary of 2% during the period, in line with Group-wide 

pay award (increase waived by Will Adderley)

-  Strong operating performance and strategic progress gives rise to a cash bonus of 97% of salary payable in respect 

of the period to Nick Wharton, Will Adderley and David Stead

- LTIP awards from 2010 will vest to Nick Wharton, Will Adderley and David Stead
-  Disclosure of single figure for the remuneration of each Executive Director; in 2012/13 total executive remuneration 

amounted to £3.11m

- Claw back introduced to cash bonus and unvested share awards from 2012/13

Looking forward

Principal activities
- Introduction of two year deferral period under LTIP awards from 2013
-  Discretion on performance related elements of pay to be informed by KPIs linked to strategy as well as personal 

performance

-  Executive Directors awarded 2% increase to basic salary from July 2013 in line with Group-wide pay award (waived 

by Will Adderley)

-  Policy will remain structured around low fixed proportion (30%) and high performance-related proportion (70%) of 

maximum earnings opportunity

- Non-Executive Directors awarded increase in fees from 1 July 2013
-  As a major shareholder, Will Adderley has indicated his wish not to participate in further conditional share awards 

under the LTIP scheme

Introduction
The Remuneration Committee has prepared this report in accordance with the requirements of Section 420 of the 
Companies Act 2006 and the Listing Rules. The report and the Group’s remuneration policy comply with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code. An ordinary resolution to approve the report through a shareholder vote will be proposed 
at the Annual General Meeting.

The disclosures that the Group’s auditors are required to audit within the Remuneration Report are contained in the 
section headed ‘Audited Information’. The auditors’ opinion is included in their report on page 64.

Non-audited information
Remuneration Committee duties
The purpose of the Committee is to assist the Board by:

•	 Recommending to the Board the specific pay and benefits packages for the Executive Directors.
•	 Recommending and monitoring the structure and level of pay and benefits for senior management below  

Board level.

•	 Approving any awards made under share incentive schemes.

The Remuneration Committee is committed to principles of accountability and transparency to ensure that 
remuneration arrangements demonstrate a clear link between performance and reward. The Committee considers fully 
the principles and provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code. The full terms of reference for the Committee can 
be found on the Company’s website.

The remuneration of the Non-Executive Directors is determined by the Board as a whole.

47

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationRemuneration report continued

Committee membership and meetings
The following Directors served on the committee during the year:

Table 1 – Committee membership
Member

Marion Sears (Chair)
Geoff Cooper
Simon Emeny
Matt Davies
Liz Doherty1

1  Liz Doherty was appointed to the Board on 1 May 2013.

Marion Sears acts as Secretary to the Committee.

Period from:

18 January 2005
18 January 2005
25 June 2007
8 February 2012
1 May 2013

To:

To date
To date
To date
To date
To date

Two meetings were held in the year and members’ attendance was as shown in the table below.

Table 2 – Attendance at committee meetings
Member

Marion Sears (Chair)
Geoff Cooper
Simon Emeny
Matt Davies
Liz Doherty1

Meetings attended:

2
2
2
2
11

1  Liz Doherty has attended all Committee meetings since her appointment.

No Director is ever present when his or her own remuneration is discussed. 

Advisers
During the year, the Committee took advice from Deloitte (Birmingham office) in respect of the remuneration of the 
Executive Directors. Deloitte (London office) also provided tax advice to the Company in relation to capital allowances. 

Remuneration policy
Executive remuneration policy and alignment with strategy
The Remuneration Committee’s policy is to provide an executive remuneration structure that will pay fairly for the  
roles and responsibilities of each Director and incentivise strongly for value creation, with an emphasis on the long  
term. This is in keeping with the family origin of the business and is important to the Adderley family who remain our 
majority shareholders.

Since the flotation of the Company our executive remuneration has been structured specifically:

•	 To reward performance.
•	 To be focused on long term value creation.
•	 To align executives with shareholders through share ownership.

Our policy is consistent with delivery of the objectives set out in our corporate strategy, which are all long term in 
nature; namely the growth and development of our specialist product offer, our stores portfolio, our multi-channel 
capability and our infrastructure. 

It is our intention to maintain a simple and transparent remuneration structure that does not frequently change. 

Structure of executive remuneration
(i) Base salary
Base salaries are set at, or below, the median for comparable companies and increases are expected to be in line with 
Group-wide awards unless merited by specific circumstances. In setting base salaries a retail peer group is considered 
within the FTSE 250 as well as industry wide surveys which cover the FTSE 250 and small-cap sector. In addition the 
operational scale and complexity of the role each Director performs is discussed and adjustments are applied to reflect 
these. It is our policy that base salary should comprise a minority of the total remuneration that an Executive Director 
can earn.

(ii) Pension
The Remuneration Committee has decided not to use final salary pension plans as a way of remunerating its Executive 
Directors. Instead the Group contributes 10% of base salary to the Executive Directors’ personal pension plans. The 
Remuneration Committee believes this is an efficient way to assist Executives to prepare for retirement. When 
determining overall remuneration levels for an Executive, the Remuneration Committee takes account of contributions 
to pension plans.

48

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013(iii) Performance related pay
The Remuneration Committee’s policy is that a substantial proportion of the Executive Directors’ remuneration  
should be variable and performance-related in order to encourage and reward superior business performance and 
shareholder return.

Constituents
Performance related pay consists of:

•	 An annual cash bonus of up to 100% of salary.
•	 An annual award of share options to the value of 150% of salary under the Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’), 

exercisable after three years, subject to performance criteria being met (and from 2013 following a two year deferral). 

This is set at the median for the annual cash bonus but in the upper quartile for the LTIP in order to incentivise 
consistent above market average growth.

Nick Wharton, our Chief Executive, has an additional one-off five year LTIP award, approved by shareholders in 2010, 
which runs until 2015, and which aligns his interests to share price performance over and above the regular three year 
LTIP.

Balance of fixed and variable remuneration
Potential performance pay currently comprises just over two thirds of maximum potential earnings at up to 250% of base 
salary; the annual cash bonus entitlement is up to 100% of base salary and the three year LTIP is up to 150% of salary. 

On an annual basis, around 70% of the maximum earnings opportunity is performance-related and over 40% is 
measured on a three year cumulative performance. The following illustrates the balance between fixed and variable 
remuneration during the year for the Executive Directors:

Table 3 – Balance of fixed and variable remuneration

400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0

350%

LTIP 150%

Bonus 100%

Base 100%

177.5%

LTIP 37.5%
Bonus 40%

Base 100%

 On target performance

Maximum opportunity

Variable
Variable
Fixed

(% figures indicate
proportion of base salary)

The breakdown does not include any share price growth or other benefits (e.g. cash car allowance, value of private 
medical insurance, pension contribution or all employee share ownership plans). 

Performance measures – financial 
The Remuneration Committee selects performance measures that it believes are:

•	 Aligned with the Group’s strategic goals.
•	 Unambiguous and easy to calculate.
•	 Transparent to Directors and shareholders. 

The financial performance measure applicable to both the annual cash bonus and the LTIP is based on growth in 
earnings per share (‘EPS’) over the performance period. 

The Remuneration Committee considered the use of EPS as a performance measure carefully when the Company was 
floated in 2007 and has discussed it with shareholders on a number of occasions. EPS is believed to be closely aligned 
to the drivers of growth for the business and in the long-term, EPS performance is expected to be reflected in 
shareholder value. As discussed with institutional shareholders at the recent Corporate Governance presentation, EPS is 
a more suitable performance measure for Dunelm than for many other companies and it is therefore considered 
appropriate to use it as a single measure, supplemented by discretion reflecting non-financial performance measures as 
described below. The use of EPS for Dunelm specifically is considered appropriate because of the absence of leverage 
in the business and because the capital expenditure controls exercised by the Board are sufficiently rigorous to avoid 
EPS accretion by means of ineffective investment of capital. Should this change the Committee would review whether 
an additional financial underpin would be appropriate. In the event of a major capital transaction the Committee 
reserves the right to adjust the target or change the performance conditions.

49

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationRemuneration report continued

Performance measures – non-financial
Payment of the annual cash bonus may be adjusted based on personal, non-financial job objectives linked to delivery  
of the strategy, set at the commencement of the year and assessed by the Remuneration Committee. With effect from  
1 July 2013, in addition to personal job objectives, the Committee will refer to certain strategic KPIs and share price 
performance to inform its discretion over the bonus awarded, although there will not be a formulaic link. 

Each Director’s remuneration is therefore linked to both personal performance and Group strategy and performance.

Future LTIP participation by Will Adderley
With effect from 1 January 2012, and in response to shareholder concerns about Will Adderley obtaining ‘creeping 
control’ of the company through vesting of share incentive awards, Will Adderley has indicated that he no longer wishes 
to receive further awards under the LTIP. He will be entitled to receive shares under existing awards, subject to 
performance criteria being met.

Claw back
From 2012 the Committee decided to introduce a claw back provision under which cash bonus entitlements and 
unvested LTIP awards made from 2012 onwards will not be paid in certain circumstances. Claw back will take place at 
the Remuneration Committee’s discretion if:

•	 performance to which a bonus or LTIP award relates proves to have been misstated; or
•	 there has been a miscalculation in the extent to which performance conditions have been met in respect of previous 

awards made to the individual that have vested and been exercised; or

•	 there has been gross misconduct on the part of an individual.

Change of control
If there is a change of control of the Company, any awards under the LTIP that have not yet vested will be exercisable at 
the discretion of the Remuneration Committee taking into account the period of time that has elapsed since grant of 
the award, and the extent that any performance target has been met.

Share options and dilution
It is Group policy to comply with the provisions of the Association of British Insurers’ Guidelines on Executive 
Remuneration when determining the number of shares over which share scheme incentive awards may be made. At the 
date of this report options have been granted over 2.3% of the Company’s issued share capital. The Group does not 
hold any shares in an employee benefit trust.

(iv) Shareholding requirements
To strengthen the alignment between management and long-term business success, executive Directors and other 
senior managers in receipt of discretionary share awards are required to build a shareholding as follows:

Table 4 – shareholding requirements

Executive Directors

Executives receiving LTIP Options
Executives receiving market priced options

Required holding

Period of time to build holding

2 x base salary

1 x base salary
0.5 x base salary

1 x salary after 3 years
2 x salary after 5 years
5 years
Over time

These required Director shareholdings are set at above market levels.

In addition, from 2013 awards made to Executive Directors under the LTIP will be subject to an additional two year 
deferral after the end of the performance period. Dividend entitlement will accrue during this period, and the Executive 
will be entitled to exercise his option over the shares at the end of the two year period, whether or not they are still 
employed. This is intended to focus management attention firmly on long-term strategy implementation and to align 
management with long-term shareholders’ interests. 

Directors’ shareholdings are disclosed in the Directors’ Report on page 61.

50

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
Summary of Remuneration
Table 5 – Summary of Remuneration

Element

Purpose and link to remuneration policy

Maximum award

Key features

Base salary •	 Reflects at or below median market  
salary for the individual and their role

n/a

Annual 
bonus

•	 Rewards the achievement of annual  

budget measured by EPS and progress 
against strategic objectives

100% of base 
salary

•	 Paid monthly in cash
•	 Reviewed annually – any increase in 

context of Group wide review

•	 Paid in cash after year end results are 

audited

•	 No bonus paid if EPS is less than 95% of 
budget; maximum paid if EPS is 105% of 
budget

•	 Payment conditional on satisfactory 
performance against personal job 
objectives, and delivery of strategic KPIs, 
as judged by the Remuneration 
Committee, subject to claw back

LTIP

•	 Aligns with shareholder interests 

through  
the delivery of shares

•	 Rewards growth in long–term earnings  

and increase in shareholder value
•	 Executive Directors required to build  
a holding equal to twice base salary  
over time

150% of base 
salary

•	 Based on EPS performance
•	 Vests based on a three year performance 

period

•	 Shares vesting may contribute to 

minimum shareholding requirement
•	 Awards subject to claw back from 2012 

two year deferral period for awards made 
from 2013

Non-Executive Directors 
Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration is determined by the Board as a whole. The Non-Executive Directors do not 
receive bonuses or participate in any incentive plans. They are paid annual fees based on the market rate, which reflect 
any additional responsibilities taken when chairing a committee of the Board.

Senior Executive remuneration
The Remuneration Committee provides oversight and guidance on the remuneration structure for below Board senior 
executives. The package for new appointments is formally presented to the committee for approval. In conducting its 
assessment of senior executive remuneration the committee pays particular regard to whether any individual is 
incentivised to take risks inappropriate to their role and responsibilities. For example, in the finance function, managers 
are not remunerated against individual financial performance, but against corporate performance and personal 
qualitative objectives.

Sharesave scheme
An annual invitation is made to all employees under our savings related share option scheme, or ‘Sharesave’. Options 
are granted at the maximum 20% discount to the market price at the date of invitation, exercisable after three years. 
Last year we were pleased that 9% of colleagues applied to join, compared with 7% in previous years. We will continue 
to offer Sharesave as a way of encouraging colleague engagement through share ownership.

Implementation of remuneration policy during the period
Executive Directors
(i) Base salary and benefits
Prior to the beginning of each financial year the Remuneration Committee sets the base salaries of Executive Directors. 
The Committee examines the salaries of Directors in a comparator retail peer group of public companies and also 
considers all industry surveys for the FTSE 250 and small cap sectors. In addition the operational scale and complexity 
of the role each Director performs is discussed and adjustments are applied to reflect these. In setting base salaries any 
increase for Executive Directors is expected to be in line with Group-wide salary increases unless specific circumstances 
merit a different approach. Base salary comprises just under one third of the total potential remuneration that an 
Executive Director can earn.

In addition to base salary, the Executive Directors are entitled to benefits comprising a car allowance, a contribution of 
10% of base salary to a personal pension, private medical insurance and life insurance.

In June 2012, the base salary review resulted in a 2% increase for all Executive Directors from 1 July 2012, in line with the 
Group wide award, which was waived by Will Adderley.

Following the review in May 2013, Executive Directors have been awarded a 2% increase in basic salary from July 2013, 
again in line with the Group-wide award. Will Adderley has waived this increase.

51

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationRemuneration report continued

Table 6 – Base salaries

Nick Wharton
Will Adderley
David Stead

2012/13 
salary

% increase on 
2011/12

2013/14 
salary 

% increase on 
2012/13

£408,000
£265,000
£264,000

2%
0%
2%

£416,160
£265,000
£269,300

2%
0%
2%

(ii) Annual cash bonus
Executive Directors are awarded a performance-related cash bonus, at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee. 
Performance criteria are based on growth in earnings per share against budget, and personal non-financial objectives 
relevant to each Director, linked to delivery of strategy. Any bonus amounts determined to be payable are paid after the 
year-end results are finalised. 

For Nick Wharton and David Stead 100% of the annual bonus is calculated according to performance against budget 
but may be adjusted at the discretion of the committee, depending on an individual’s performance against personal 
objectives. For Will Adderley, 50% of the annual bonus is calculated according to the performance against budget and 
50% is awarded for performance on strategic projects which are an important focus of his time.

The prospects for the market and the Group are considered when setting the budget EPS target for the year. In 
addition we have regard to both market consensus expectations for EPS and individual broker forecasts. The bonus 
parameters are described below:

Table 7 – Bonus parameters for financial target

Threshold
Target
Maximum

EPS 
performance  
(percentage of 
target)

Percentage of 
maximum  

bonus payable

95%
100%
105%

5%
40%
100%

For the year ended 29 June 2013, budget EPS was 38.5p. Accordingly the target set was that no bonus would be paid 
until EPS reached 36.5p and at 40.4p maximum bonus would be paid. Market consensus for 2012/13 EPS at the date the 
target was set was 37.6p.

Reported EPS of 40.0p was 3.9 % above target. After due consideration of job performance progress against strategic 
objectives and achievement of non-financial performance targets, the committee awarded a discretionary element of 
bonus as shown below. This was equivalent to 10% of salary bringing the total award to 97%. Will Adderley was awarded 
a bonus of £257,050 and choose to waive 50% of this award and requested the other 50% to be donated to the Group’s 
charity of the year.

Table 8 – Annual cash bonus earned

Nick Wharton
Will Adderley
David Stead

Bonus earned

£395,760
n/a
£256,080

Percentage of 
base salary

97%
n/a
97%

(iii) Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’)
Under the LTIP, Executive Directors are awarded nominal cost share options annually. These awards vest three years 
after date of grant, to the extent that the applicable performance target is met. 

The Remuneration Committee has chosen growth in fully diluted EPS over each three-year performance period as the 
performance target for the awards under the LTIP. The Committee believes that this measure is closely aligned to the 
drivers of growth of the business and that in the long term, EPS performance will be reflected in shareholder value. The 
committee is satisfied that capital expenditure controls exercised by the Board are sufficiently rigorous to avoid EPS 
accretion by means of ineffective investment of capital and in any event reserves the right to adjust the target in the 
event of a major capital transaction. 

The LTIP is structured as follows (awards vest on a straight-line basis between the threshold and maximum points):

Table 9 – LTIP performance parameters

Compound Annual Growth in EPS

Threshold
Maximum

52

Plan period 
2010-2013

 Plan period  

2011-2014 
onwards

RPI + 3%
RPI + 12%

RPI + 3%
RPI + 15%

Amount of 
award to vest

25%
100%

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
 
 
The maximum point was increased for awards made from 2011 onwards, in line with the increase in maximum annual 
award from 120% to 150% of base salary. This was part of an overall review of Executive Directors’ remuneration. It was 
explained fully in the 2011 annual report and approved by shareholders at the AGM in November 2011.

The Committee meets after the results for each three-year performance period are available to determine the extent to 
which performance conditions have been satisfied. There is no retesting.

Awards cannot be granted to Executive Directors under the LTIP over Ordinary Shares in excess of 5% of the issued 
Ordinary Share capital in any rolling 10 year period. 

Details of outstanding awards made to Executive Directors under the LTIP and awards made and exercised during the 
financial year are set out in tables 15 to 17 of this report.

The Remuneration Committee has reviewed the Company’s EPS record over the three-year performance period which 
ended on 29 June 2013. Reported fully diluted EPS grew at a compound annual rate of 14.1%. This is 10.4% above the 
compound annual growth in RPI over the same period. Accordingly, 86.7% of the December 2010 LTIP award will vest in 
December 2013 as follows:

Table 10 – LTIP awards vesting in respect of 2010/13

Nick Wharton
Will Adderley
David Stead

Shares vesting

Percentage of 
maximum award

48,262
62,956
52,744

86.7%
86.7%
86.7%

The 2010 LTIP awards which vested in favour of Nick Wharton, Will Adderley and David Stead as described above are 
included in the single number for total remuneration for 2012/13 set out in table 14. Their value has been calculated 
using the average share price over the three months preceding the end of the performance period on 29 June 2013, 
which is 866.45p.

Non-Executive Directors 
Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration is determined by the Board as a whole. The Non-Executive Directors do not 
receive bonuses or participate in any incentive plans. They are paid annual fees which reflect additional responsibilities 
taken when chairing a committee of the Board. 

Fees were reviewed in April 2013 for the first time in three years, and it was found that they are now significantly out of 
line with the norm for a company of our size. Fees will therefore be increased from 1 July 2013 as set out below:

Table 11 – Non-Executive Director Fees

Fee between July 2010 and  

June 2013 (per annum)

Fee from July 2013

Comment

Geoff Cooper – Chairman

Marion Sears – SID

Matt Davies – Audit and Risk 
Committee Chair

Simon Emeny

Liz Doherty

£100k

£40k

£30k

£30k

£40k from appointment on 
1 May 2013

Fee from 2013 includes 
SID and Remuneration/
Nominations Committee 
Chair fees of £10k

Fee from 2013 includes 
Audit and Risk Committee 
Chair fee of £5k

£120k

£50k

£45k

£40k

£40k

Going forward, rather than reviewing fees every three years, fees for the Non-Executive Directors will increase annually 
in line with the Company average.

Service contracts
In accordance with the Group’s policy, the service contracts of the Executive Directors have no fixed-term, the notice 
period for termination is 12 months from either party and payments on termination are restricted to a maximum of the 
value of salary for the notice period. The Remuneration Committee will apply mitigation rigorously in respect of any 
post remuneration payment.

The Non-Executive Directors have letters of appointment for an initial period of three years with a provision for 
termination of one month’s notice from either party, or three months’ notice from either party in the case of Geoff 
Cooper, the Chairman.

53

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany information 
 
Remuneration report continued

Table 12 – Directors’ service contracts

Nick Wharton
Will Adderley
David Stead
Geoff Cooper
Marion Sears
Simon Emeny
Matt Davies
Liz Doherty

Date of contract

Unexpired term

15 September 2010
28 September 2006
15 September 2003
8 October 2004
22 July 2004
25 June 2007
8 February 2012
1 May 2013

n/a
n/a
n/a
1 month
10 months
33 months
18 months
31 months

Notice  
period

12 months
12 months
12 months
3 months
1 month
1 month
1 month
1 month

Note: Marion Sears has now served nine years on the Board (seven of which are post flotation of the Company in 2006). Her 
contract will be renewed for one year terms going forward (with the notice period referred to above). The same will apply to 
Geoff Cooper who will have served nine years on the Board (seven of which are post flotation) on 1 November 2013.

Relative TSR performance
The graph below shows the Group’s performance over five years, measured by total shareholder return, compared with 
the FTSE General Retail Index and the FTSE 250. The Remuneration Committee has chosen these indices for 
comparison because they provide a range of comparator companies which have similar market capitalisation, which are 
in the same sector and which face similar market and economic challenges in the long term.

Table 13 – Total shareholder return performance graph (rebased to 29 June 2008 = 100)

1000

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

Dunelm

FTSE 250

FTSE All Share 
General Retailers

.

3
0
0
6
2
0
0
8

.

.

3
0
0
9
2
0
0
8

.

.

3
1
.
1
2
2
0
0
8

3
1
.

.

0
3
2
0
0
9

.

3
0
0
6
2
0
0
9

.

.

3
0
0
9
2
0
0
9

.

.

3
1
.
1
2
2
0
0
9

3
1
.

.

0
3
2
0
0

1

.

3
0
0
6
2
0
0

1

.

.

3
1
.
1
2
2
0
0

1

.

3
0
0
9
2
0
0

1

.

3
1
.

0
3
2
0

.

1
1

.

3
0
0
6
2
0

.

1
1

.

3
0
0
9
2
0

.

1
1

3
1
.
1
2
2
0

.

1
1

3
1
.

.

0
3
2
0
1
2

.

3
0
0
6
2
0
1
2

.

.

3
0
0
9
2
0
1
2

.

.

3
1
.
1
2
2
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1
2

3
1
.

.

0
3
2
0
1
3

.

2
9
0
6
2
0
1
3

.

The shares traded in the range 501p to 947p during the year and stood at 947p at 29 June 2013.

54

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
Audited information
Details of Directors’ remuneration
Details of individual Directors’ remuneration in respect of the year ended 29 June 2013 are as follows:

Table 14 – Directors’ remuneration

Base salary 
or fees 
£’000

Vehicle 
allowance 
£’000

Taxable 
benefits 
£’000

Contribution 
to personal 
pension 
£’000

Annual 
bonus  
£’000

Actual gain 
on SAYE 
exercise 
£’000

Executive Directors
Nick Wharton
Will Adderley
David Stead

Non–Executive Directors
Geoff Cooper
Marion Sears
Simon Emeny
Matt Davies
Liz Doherty1

408
265
264

100
40
30
30
7

12
12
12

–
–
–
–
–

Total

 1,144

36

1  Reflects fees since appointment on 1 May 2013.

1
1
–

–
–
–
–
–

2

41
–
26

–
–
–
–
–

396
n/a
256

–
–
–
–
–

67

652

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

Realisable 
gain on 
share 
incentives 
vesting in 
2013  

(table 17)

418
545
457

–
–
–
–
–

Realisable 
gain on 
share 
incentives 
vesting in 
2012 
(table 16)

–
621
427

–
–
–
–
–  

2013 
Total
£’000

1,276
823
1,015

100
40
30
30
7

2012
Total 
£’000

853
1,187
1,010

100
40
30
12

1,420

3,321

1,048

3,232

Will Adderley was awarded a bonus of £257,050 and chose to waive the element of this award that relates to 
achievement of personal objectives (50%) and requested the other 50% to be donated to the Group’s charity of the 
year. 

David Stead waived taxable benefits totalling approximately £1,000.

The realisable gain on LTIP awards vesting in the relevant financial period is calculated using the LTIP award whose 
performance period ends on the last day of the financial period being reported on (so for 2012/13, the LTIP award used 
is the 2010 award, with a performance period of July 2010 to June 2013 inclusive). The realisable value of the award is 
then calculated by multiplying the number of shares which will vest after applying the performance criteria, by the 
average share price for the three months ended on the last day of the performance period. 

Nick Wharton’s 2012/13 remuneration includes the realisable gain in respect of the first LTIP award made to him that has 
matured since his appointment on 1 December 2010. This accounts for the large increase in his total remuneration for 
2012/13 compared with the previous year.

Directors’ interests in share options
Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’)
As at 29 June 2013, the Directors’ beneficial interests in options granted under the LTIP, which (unless otherwise noted) 
will vest only if EPS performance conditions are met, are as follows:

Table 15 – Directors’ interests in LTIP

Director

Nick Wharton

Date of award

Dec 2010
Dec 2010

Nov 2011
Nov 2012

Nature of award

29 June 2013

Share options at  

End of 
performance 
period

Market price of 
shares at date of 
award

One–off joining award
2010/13 LTIP – 120% quantum 
(pro rata to time served)
2011/14 LTIP – 150% quantum
2012/15 LTIP – 150% quantum

198,807
55,666

Nov 20151
June 2013

139,211
95,401

June 2014
June 2015

Will Adderley

Dec 2010

2010/13 LTIP – 120% quantum  

72,614

June 2013

David Stead

Nov 2011

Dec 2010
Nov 2011
Nov 2012

(pro rata salary 2010/11)
2011/14 LTIP – 150% quantum

2010/13 LTIP – 120% quantum
2011/14 LTIP – 150% quantum
2012/15 LTIP – 150% quantum

92,227

June 2013

60,835
90,070
61,730

June 2013
June 2014
June 2015

503p
503p

431p
642p

503p

431p

503p
431p
642p

1  The nominal cost options over 198,807 shares made to Nick Wharton on 1 December 2010 can only vest if he remains an employee for five years. There 

is no vesting entitlement if Nick leaves the Company, for any reason, before 1 December 2015. This award was made in compensation for LTIP benefits 
left behind with Nick’s previous employer and there are no other performance conditions attached to it.

55

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration report continued

LTIP options exercised during the period
The September 2009 award was in respect of the three-year performance period to 30 June 2012, over which the 
compound annual fully diluted growth in EPS was 23.6% (19.3% above RPI). Accordingly, 100% of the conditional 
nominal cost options awarded in September 2009 vested in September 2012. The entitlements were exercised by both 
Will Adderley and David Stead and details are set out below (the realisable gain shown in last year’s Remuneration 
Report is included for information):

Table 16 – LTIP options exercised during 2012/13

Will Adderley
David Stead

No of shares
vested

Date of vesting

123,949 24 Sep 2012
85,215 24 Sep 2012

Realisable gain
at 30 June 2012
(end of
performance
period)
£

3 month average
share price to 
30 June 2012

Exercise
date

Share price on
exercise date

Actual gain on
exercise date
£

501p
501p

620,984 18 Oct 2012
426,927 18 Oct 2012

679p
679p

841,614
578,610

LTIP options to vest in 2013/14
The Remuneration Committee has reviewed the Company’s EPS record over the three-year performance period which 
ended on 29 June 2013. Reported fully diluted EPS grew at a compound annual rate of 14.1%. This is 10.4% above RPI 
over the same period. Accordingly, 86.7% of the December 2010 LTIP award will vest in December 2013 and details are 
set out below:

Table 17 – Directors’ LTIP options vesting in 2013/14

Nick Wharton
Will Adderley
David Stead

No of shares
to vest

Date of vesting

3 month average
share price to
29 June 2013

Realisable gain
on 29 June 2013
(end of
performance
period)

48,262
62,956
52,744

1 Dec 2013
1 Dec 2013
1 Dec 2013

866p
866p
866p

418,166
545,482
457,000

Other options
The Directors’ beneficial interests in options granted under the savings related share plan (Sharesave) plan are as follows:

Table 18 – Directors’ options under Sharesave

Shares under
option at 
29 June 2013

Shares under
option at
30 June 2012

Granted
during period

Exercised
during period

Lapsed
during period

Exercise price
per share

Market price
of shares
at date of
exercise

Vesting date

Expiry date

Nick Wharton
David Stead

2,493
2,493

2,493
2,493

–
–

–
–

–
–

361p
361p

–
–

Jan 2015
Jan 2015

Jun 2015
Jun 2015

The Directors do not have entitlements under any other share-based incentive plan.

Total remuneration figure
In line with developing requirements to set out total remuneration in a transparent way as a ‘single number’ we have 
included a Total Remuneration figure for each Executive Director in Table 14. This total includes all rewards that the 
Director received or will receive pertaining to the year being reported. 

In the case of Dunelm our simple remuneration structure means that the total remuneration includes: base salary, value 
of benefits, pension contribution, cash bonus relating to the year, the actual value of SAYE options vesting and 
exercised in the year and the value of the (gross) LTIP shares vesting in respect of the performance period ended in the 
year, calculated using the average share price over the three months ended on the last day of the performance period 
(which we refer to in the tables as ‘realisable value’).

Total remuneration earned by the Executive Directors in 2012/13 was £3.11m and by the Non-Executive Directors was 
£0.21m . The total remuneration of all Directors was £3.32m.

Approval
This report was approved by the Board of Directors on 12 September 2013 and signed on its behalf by:

Marion Sears
Chair, Remuneration Committee

12 September 2013

56

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Letter from the Chair of the Nominations Committee

“ We have continued to focus  
on Board composition and  
refreshment during the year.”

Marion Sears
Chair of the Remuneration Committee 

Dear Shareholder,
We have continued to focus on Board composition and refreshment during the year with the aim of creating the right 
diversity of skills and mix of tenure amongst the Non-Executive Directors. This means that, for a while, we will have a 
larger Board due to overlap of tenure as we seek to maintain continuity whilst managing succession.

We were pleased to appoint Liz Doherty as a new Non-Executive Director in May. Liz brings a broad range of 
operational and financial experience to the Board and she is also an experienced Non-Executive Director. 

We are fully compliant in terms of Board balance between Executives and Independent Directors, and also in terms of 
Committee membership. However, we think continually about the future needs of the business and about how the 
Board can help to preserve our culture throughout the organisation, whilst at the same time ensuring the calibre of 
Board necessary to support our ambitions for growth. 

The executives have made some important senior management appointments during the year to support these ambitions 
and all senior positions have well developed succession plans in place. Store management teams have been reorganised in a 
clear and transparent way to ensure all colleagues have the opportunity to see a path for internal promotion. 

Looking forward, we will continue to work on Board composition and refreshment with the aim of achieving smooth 
succession of Directors over the next few years.

Yours sincerely,

Marion Sears
Chair of the Nominations Committee

12 September 2013

57

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationNominations Committee report

2012/13 summary

Principal activities
- Appointment of Liz Doherty as Non-Executive Director
- Detailed review of Board skills and experience repeated
- Update of Board succession plan
- Evaluation conducted as part of our first external Board Evaluation

This report provides details of the role of the Nominations Committee and the work it has undertaken during the year.

The purpose of the Committee is to assist the Board by keeping the composition of the Board under review and 
conducting a rigorous and transparent process when new appointments to the Board are made. The full terms of 
reference for the Committee can be found on the Company’s website.

The following Directors served on the Committee during the year:

Member

Marion Sears (Chair)
Geoff Cooper
Simon Emeny
Will Adderley
Matt Davies
Liz Doherty

Period from:

18 January 2005
18 January 2005
25 June 2007
17 February 2011
8 February 2012
1 May 2013

To:

To date
To date
To date
To date
To date
To date

The NED search process, and succession planning as part of this, was discussed by the whole Board at every Board 
meeting with an update paper provided by myself. However there were two formal Committee meetings held in the 
year and members’ attendance was as shown in the table below. I also act as Secretary to the Committee.

Member

Marion Sears (Chair)
Geoff Cooper
Simon Emeny
Will Adderley
Matt Davies
Liz Doherty

Meetings attended:

2
2
2
2
2
01

1 There were no meetings between 1 May (when Liz Doherty joined the Board) and the year end.

General succession planning
The Committee keeps under review the balance of skills on the Board as a whole and the knowledge, experience, length 
of service and performance of the Directors. On at least an annual basis each Director’s intentions are discussed with 
regard to serving on the Board and their succession is considered in the context of the shape of the overall Board and 
the corporate governance guidance on Non-Executive Director tenure. This transparency amongst a small and 
collegiate Board allows for an open discussion about succession for each individual, both for short-term emergency 
purposes as well as longer-term plans.

While all Board appointment processes and succession discussions are led by the Nominations Committee these are viewed 
as important whole-Board topics and no appointment will be made to the Board without agreement of all Directors.

Committee activities in 2012/13
NED search
With three of our Non-Executives completing six years on the Board since IPO in 2012/3, as stated last year the 
Committee has been mindful of the need to keep the Board composition fresh. Much of the Committee’s activities 
during the year were therefore focused on our search for a new Non-Executive Director.

Following our detailed review of the skills and balance on the Board, and our likely needs in the context of our strategy 
going forward, we drew up a role and person specification for which the main requirements were;

•	 Relevant experience in retail or similar business, including multi-channel.
•	 Familiarity with the current challenges of operating management, including multi-channel and international.
•	 Understanding of branding and marketing.
•	 Cultural fit.

We also had regard to the requirement to achieve a diversity of characters, backgrounds and experiences amongst 
Board members. In particular, we prioritised the appointment of a female candidate.

58

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013We decided not to appoint a single search firm to assist us as we were not under time pressure to make an appointment 
quickly and we believe there is value in searching widely through a variety of intermediaries without a preset timetable. 
Instead we applied the requirements of best practice for ‘open advertising’ by talking to a large number of contacts 
who know Dunelm and who understand our culture and ambitions. These included several search agents, our advisers 
and some of our shareholders and we also asked our own networks for candidate suggestions. As a result we held 
informal meetings with a very large number of people over the course of more than a year and we also screened 
existing Directors of FTSE 100 companies ourselves as a desk exercise to ensure that our search was sufficiently 
comprehensive and representative. 

In April 2013 we were pleased to announce the appointment of Liz Doherty as an additional Non-Executive Director. Liz 
was introduced to us by the search firm CT Partners Augmentum with whom Dunelm has no other relationship. 

Liz has held a number of senior finance roles within significant international businesses.  Most recently, she was Finance 
Director of Reckitt Benckiser plc.  Prior to this, she was Finance Director of Brambles Limited (Australia) and Group 
International Finance Director of Tesco plc. She started her career at Unilever plc, where she held a number of finance 
roles in the UK and Europe. Liz is also a Non-Executive Director of Nokia Corporation and Delhaize Group and is a fellow 
of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

Board succession
As stated last year, we have a formal plan for how Board membership should develop over the coming years and we are 
taking actions to implement this. 

Skills balance and Directors’ performance evaluation
The Nominations Committee reviews Board composition and the balance of skills provided by the Directors in a whole 
Board session each year, in the light of the most recent strategy discussions. In 2012/3 we repeated the detailed review 
conducted during 2011/12, and this has also been addressed in our external Board evaluation which is described in the 
Corporate Governance Report. The outcome of this has been incorporated into our Board succession plan which will be 
discussed again by the Board in autumn 2013.

In addition to the external Board evaluation, the performance of all of the Directors has been assessed individually. The 
Chairman of the Board led a process of collecting feedback on each Director’s performance and provided them with a 
one-to-one evaluation and discussion of training needs. As Senior Independent Director I collected feedback about the 
Chairman and provided him with an evaluation of his performance. 

Diversity
In 2011 we set out the Board’s policy on diversity which we believe remains appropriate for Dunelm. It can be 
summarised as follows:

•	 Whilst confirming that our overriding concern is to ensure the Board comprises outstanding individuals who can lead 
the Group, we also believe the Group’s best interests are served by ensuring that these individuals represent a range 
of skills, experiences, backgrounds and perspectives, including gender.

•	 Accordingly, it is our policy that the Board should always be of mixed gender. 
•	 Quotas are not appropriate as a target for female representation on company Boards, since they are likely to lead to 

compromised decisions on Board membership, quality and size. 

•	 We will seek to ensure that specific effort is made to bring forward female candidates for Board appointments.
•	 We will monitor the Group’s approach to people development to ensure that it continues to enable talented 

individuals, both male and female, to enjoy career progression activities within Dunelm.

Tenure and Re-election of Directors
In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, all Directors will seek re-election at the 2013 AGM.

Given that Geoff Cooper and I have been Board members since 2004, we have served nine years on the Board, seven  
of these following the Company’s flotation in 2006. In accordance with best practice, in 2013, our contracts will be 
renewed for a one year term, subject to earlier termination by notice and reappointment at the AGM. Simon Emeny has 
entered a third term as Non-Executive Director which takes his tenure to 2016, and Matt Davies and Liz Doherty both 
remain within their first term. Our main priority during this succession phase is to balance the changes with a period of 
time in between each appointment and departure.

This report was reviewed and approved by the Board on 12 September 2013.

Marion Sears
Chair of the Nominations Committee

12 September 2013

59

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationDirectors’ report and business review

The Directors present their report together with the audited financial statements for the year ended 29 June 2013. 
Together with certain information in the reports from the Chief Executive and the Finance Director on pages 12 to 19, 
the Risks and Uncertainties on pages 20 to 23 and the Corporate Social Responsibility review on pages 24 to 32, which 
are incorporated into this report by reference, this report satisfies the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 to 
produce a Business Review.

The purpose of this Business Review is to provide to shareholders a review of the Group’s business over the period, and 
to describe the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group.

Principal activity
The principal activity of the Group is that of a specialist UK homewares retailer selling to customers through stores, over 
the internet and via a catalogue.

Review of business and future developments
A review of the business and future developments of the Group is given in the Chief Executive’s Review on pages 12 to 15.

Shareholder and voting rights
All members who hold Ordinary Shares are entitled to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting. On a show of 
hands at a general meeting every member present in person shall have one vote and on a poll, every member present in 
person or by proxy shall have one vote for every Ordinary Share held.

On 2 October 2006, Jean Adderley, Bill Adderley and Will Adderley (all shareholders) entered into a Relationship 
Agreement with the Company, pursuant to which each of Jean Adderley, Bill Adderley and Will Adderley undertook  
to the Company that, for so long as, individually or together, they are entitled to exercise, or to control the exercise of, 
30% or more of the rights to vote at general meetings of the Company or they are able to control the appointment of 
directors who are able to exercise a majority of votes at Board meetings of the Company, they will:

a) conduct all transactions and relationships with any member of the Group on arms length terms and on a normal 

commercial basis;

b) not take any action which precludes or inhibits any member of the Group from carrying on its business 

independently of Jean and Bill Adderley and their associates (as defined in the Listing Rules);

c) not exercise any of their voting rights or other powers to procure any amendment to the Articles of Association of 
the Company which would be inconsistent with or undermine any of the provisions of the Relationship Agreement;
d) abstain from voting on any resolution to which LR11.7.R(4) of the Listing Rules applies involving Jean Adderley, Bill 

Adderley or Will Adderley or any of their associates as the related party;

e) not carry on (other than through their holding of securities of the Company) or have any financial interest (other than 
a financial interest in securities which are held for investment purposes only) in any person who carries on a business 
as a homewares retailer, to the extent that it would be inconsistent with or undermine any provisions of the 
Relationship Agreement; and

f)  only enter into, amend or terminate any transaction, agreement or relationship between themselves or any of their 

associates and any member of the Group with the approval of a majority of the independent Non-Executive 
Directors.

WA Capital Limited and Nadine Adderley, to whom Will Adderley has transferred shares by way of a gift, have 
subsequently become party to this agreement.

There are no restrictions on the transfer of Ordinary Shares in the Company other than certain restrictions imposed by 
laws and regulations (such as insider trading and marketing requirements relating to close periods) and requirements of 
the Listing Rules whereby Directors and certain employees of the Company require Board approval to deal in the 
Company’s securities.

Change of control
The Company is not party to any significant agreements which take effect, alter or terminate solely on a change of 
control of the Company following a takeover bid.

There are no agreements between the Company and its Directors or employees providing for additional compensation 
for loss of office or employment (whether through resignation, redundancy or otherwise) that occurs because of a 
takeover bid.

Results and dividends
The consolidated profit for the year after taxation was £81.5m (2012: £71.2m). The results are discussed in greater detail 
in the Finance Director’s review on pages 16 to 19.

A final dividend of 11.5p per share (2012: 10.0p) is proposed in respect of the year ended 29 June 2013 to add to an 
interim dividend of 4.5p per share paid on 12 April 2013 (2012: 4.0p). The final dividend will be paid on 
20 December 2013 to shareholders on the register at 29 November 2013.

60

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Special Dividend
The Board has also announced that surplus cash amounting to £50.7m (25.0p per share) will be returned to shareholders in 
the form of a special dividend. This will be paid on 11 October 2013 to shareholders on the register at 20 September 2013.

Return of capital
On 30 November 2012, 32.5p per Ordinary Share was returned to shareholders by way of a B/C share scheme. For 
further information please see the circular to shareholders dated 15 October 2012, which is available on our website 
www.dunelm.com.

Directors
Directors serving at the year end and their beneficial interests in the shares of the Company were:

WL Adderley
D Stead
G Cooper
M Sears
N Wharton
S Emeny
M Davies
L Doherty

Liz Doherty was appointed on 1 May 2013. 

During the period there were the following changes to Will Adderley’s shareholding:

15 October 2012
18 October 2012
6 November 2012

Transfer to Nadine Adderley (his wife)
Exercise of nil cost options under LTIP
Transfer to Nadine Adderley

At the period end Will Adderley’s beneficial shareholding is held as follows:

Will Adderley
Nadine Adderley
WA Capital Limited1

Total

At 29 June 2013 
1p Ordinary
Shares

At 30 June 2012
1p Ordinary 
Shares

61,827,347 61,703,398
625,426
181,611
101,313
39,500
26,400
4,500
0

667,181
181,611
101,313
39,500
26,400
4,500
0

–123,949
123,949
–2,000,000

9,103,398
2,123,949
50,600,000

61,827,347

1  WA Capital Limited is a company established by Will Adderley to act as a long-term holding company for his Dunelm shareholding. It is a United 

Kingdom limited company of which he is the sole director and shareholder, and is UK resident for tax purposes. Shares held by WA Capital Limited and 
by Nadine Adderley are included in the total beneficial interest of Will Adderley in the table above. 

Will Adderley is deemed to retain a legal interest in shares held by two trusts, the Leicester Foundation and the 
Paddocks Discretionary Trust, by virtue of the fact that he and his wife are trustees, although not beneficiaries, of those 
trusts. At the period end the shareholdings of these trusts were: Leicester Foundation: 1,167,250 Ordinary Shares (2012: 
1, 167,250), Paddocks Trust: 172,750 Ordinary Shares (2012: 172,750). These interests are not included in the table above. 
In total therefore, Will Adderley’s legal and beneficial interest in Ordinary Shares totals 63,167,347 representing 31.1% of 
the issued Ordinary Share Capital.

David Stead exercised nil cost options over 85,215 shares under the Long-Term Incentive Plan on 18 October 2012. On 
the same day he sold 43,460 Ordinary Shares at a price of 679.4p per share to cover his income tax and national 
insurance liability, the balance of 41,755 shares were transferred to his wife Jane Stead. Shares held by David’s wife are 
included in his beneficial interest in the table above.

On 17 October 2012 Simon Emeny transferred 26,400 Ordinary Shares of 1p each to his wife, Selina Emeny, for nil 
consideration. Following this transfer Mr Emeny’s beneficial holding in the Company was unchanged.

There were no changes in the Directors’ shareholdings between the year end and 12 September 2013.

Details of share options held by Directors at the period end are given in the Remuneration Report.

All Directors will be retiring at the 2013 Annual General Meeting and will be offering themselves for re-election. 
Biographical details of the Directors are set out on page 34 and 35 and details of their service contracts are in the 
Remuneration Report on page 53.

61

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany information 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ report and business review continued

Share capital and treasury shares
The Company has only one class of shares, Ordinary Shares of 1p each. 

The issued Ordinary Share capital of the Company has increased by 574,940 Ordinary Shares during the period due to the 
exercise of share options. Details of option exercises by Directors are set out above.

At 29 June 2013 the Company did not hold any Ordinary Shares in treasury (2012: nil). There were no movements of  
shares in or out of treasury during the period and there have been no movements of shares in or out of treasury since  
the period end. 

Substantial shareholders
At 12 September 2013 the following had notified the Company of a disclosable interest in 3% or more of the nominal value of 
the Company’s Ordinary Shares:

WL Adderley
W Adderley
Kames Capital

Ordinary 
Shares

Percentage of 
share capital

61,827,347
48,070,000
8,409,701

30.5
23.7
4.2

WL Adderley is also deemed to hold a legal interest in 1,167,250 Ordinary Shares held by The Leicester Foundation  
and 172,750 Ordinary Shares held by the Paddocks Discretionary Trust, by virtue of the fact that he is a trustee of  
those trusts.

Powers of Directors
Specific powers of the Directors in relation to shares and the Company’s Articles of Association are referred to in the 
Corporate Governance report on page 40.

Treasury and risk management
The Group’s approach to treasury and financial risk management is explained in the Key Risks and Uncertainties section on 
page 23.

Going concern
The Directors have made appropriate enquiries and formed a judgement at the time of approving the financial 
statements that there is a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational 
existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in 
preparing the financial statements. 

Auditor
Due to an internal reorganisation, the Group’s auditor, KPMG Audit plc, has decided to wind down its audit business and 
transfer it to KPMG LLP.

As a consequence, KPMG Audit plc has notified the Group that it is not seeking reappointment at the forthcoming AGM and 
KPMG LLP has agreed to be appointed in its place. The statement of circumstances required under section 519 of the 
Companies Act 2006 is reproduced in part 5 of the Notice of AGM.

In accordance with section 489 of the Companies Act 2006 and the recommendation of the Audit Committee, a resolution 
is to be proposed at the AGM for the appointment of KPMG LLP as auditors of the Group.

Disclosure of information to auditor 
The Directors who held office at the date of approval of this Directors’ report confirm that, so far as they are each aware, 
there is no relevant audit information of which the Group’s auditor is unaware; and each Director has taken all the steps that 
they ought to have taken as a Director to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the 
Group’s auditor is aware of that information.

Disclaimer 
This Directors’ Report and Business Review and the Financial Statements contain certain forward-looking statements with 
respect to the financial condition, results, operations and business of Dunelm Group plc. These statements and forecasts 
involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend upon circumstances, that will occur in the future. 
There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed or 
implied by these forward-looking statements and forecasts. Nothing in this Directors’ Report and Business Review or in 
these Financial Statements should be construed as a profit forecast.

Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting will be held at 9.30 am on Tuesday 12 November 2013 at The Old Palace Hotel, Lincoln, LN2 1PU.

A formal notice of meeting, explanatory circular and a form of proxy will accompany this report and accounts.

By order of the Board

Dawn Durrant
Company Secretary

12 September 2013

62

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities in respect of the 
Annual Report and the financial statements

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the Group and Parent Company financial statements 
in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare Group and Parent Company financial statements for each financial year. 
Under that law they are required to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the 
European Union (‘EU’) and applicable law and have elected to prepare the Parent Company financial statements on the 
same basis.

Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a 
true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and Parent Company and of their profit or loss for that period. In 
preparing each of the Group and Parent Company financial statements, the Directors are required to:

•	 select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
•	 make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
•	 state whether they have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU; and
•	 prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and 

the Parent Company will continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the 
Parent Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Parent 
Company and enable them to ensure that its financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They have 
general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Group and to 
prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors are also responsible for preparing a Directors’ Report, Directors’ 
Remuneration Report and Corporate Governance Statement that complies with that law and those regulations.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on 
the Company’s website.

Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in 
other jurisdictions.

Responsibility Statement
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

a) the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards, give a true and fair 
view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the 
consolidation taken as a whole; and

b) the management report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position 
of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of 
the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

By order of the Board

Geoff Cooper 
Chairman 

Nick Wharton
Chief Executive

12 September 2013

63

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany information 
 
Independent Auditor’s report to the members 
of Dunelm Group plc

We have audited the financial statements of Dunelm Group plc for the financial year ended 29 June 2013 set out on pages 
65 to 93. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and International 
Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRSs’) as adopted by the EU and, as regards the Parent Company financial statements, as 
applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with chapter 3 of part 16 of the Companies 
Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters we are 
required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not 
accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s members, as a body, for our audit 
work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of Directors and auditors
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement set out on page 63, the Directors are responsible for the 
preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit 
and express an opinion on, the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on 
Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s (‘APB’s’) Ethical 
Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements is provided on the Financial Reporting Council’s website 
at www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion:

•	 the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 

29 June 2013 and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;

•	 the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU;
•	 the Parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the 

EU and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and

•	 the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, 

as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion:

•	 the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 

Companies Act 2006; 

•	 the information given in the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is 

consistent with the financial statements;

•	 the information given in the Corporate Governance report set out on pages 36 to 42 with respect to internal control; 

and 

•	 risk management systems in relation to financial reporting processes and about share capital structures is consistent 

with the financial statements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following:

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

•	 adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not 

been received from branches not visited by us; or

•	 the Parent Company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in 

agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

•	 certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
•	 we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
•	 a Corporate Governance Statement has not been prepared by the Company.

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review:

•	 the Directors’ statement, set out on page 63, in relation to going concern;
•	 the part of the Corporate Governance report on pages 36 to 42 relating to the Company’s compliance with the nine 

provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code specified for our review; and

•	 certain elements of the report to shareholders by the Board on directors’ remuneration.

Wayne Cox 
(Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of KPMG Audit plc, Statutory Auditor
Chartered Accountants
Leicester

12 September 2013

64

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Consolidated income statement
For the 52 weeks ended 29 June 2013

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Operating costs

Operating profit

Financial income
Financial expenses

Profit before taxation

Taxation

Profit for the period attributable to equity shareholders of the parent

Earnings per Ordinary Share – basic
Earnings per Ordinary Share – diluted

Dividend proposed per Ordinary Share

Dividend paid per Ordinary Share

All activities relate to continuing operations. 

Note

1

2013 
£’000

2012 
£’000

677,192

603,729

(347,448)

(311,992)

329,744

291,737

(223,206)

(196,537)

106,538

95,200

1,518
(1)

1,048
–

108,055

96,248

(26,601)

(25,026)

81,454

71,222

40.2p
40.0p

11.5p

4.5p

35.3p
35.1p

10.0p

4.0p

3

2

5
5

6

8
8

7

7

65

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany information 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the 52 weeks ended 29 June 2013

Profit for the period
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Effective portion of movement in fair value of cash flow hedges
Deferred tax on hedging movements

Total comprehensive income for the period

2013 
£’000

81,454

443
(102)

2012 
£’000

71,222

343
(90)

81,795

71,475

66

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
Consolidated statement of financial position
As at 29 June 2013

Non–current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Deferred tax asset

Total non-current assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Financial instruments

Total current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Liability for current tax
Financial instruments

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Deferred tax liability

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity
Issued capital
Share premium
Capital redemption reserve
Hedging reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity attributable to equity holders of the Parent

Note

9
10
11

12
13
14
17

15

17

11

18

29 June 
2013
£’000

4,262
151,060
1,460

30 June
2012
£’000

3,238
146,313
–

156,782

149,551

92,940
18,344
44,740
387

86,221
17,054
65,190
–

156,411

168,465

313,193

318,016

(102,106)
(13,393)
–

(97,442)
(13,195)
(56)

(115,499)

(110,693)

–

–

(297)

(297)

(115,499)

(110,990)

197,694

207,026

2,028
1,612
43,157
299
150,598

2,023
1,025
43,155
(42)
160,865

197,694

207,026

The financial statements on pages 65 to 83 were approved by the Board of Directors on 12 September 2013 and were 
signed on its behalf by:

Nick Wharton
Chief Executive

67

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany information 
Consolidated statement of cash flows
For the 52 weeks ended 29 June 2013

Profit before taxation
Adjustment for net financing costs

Operating profit
Depreciation and amortisation
Impairment losses on non-current assets
Loss/(profit) on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital
(Increase) in inventories
(Increase) in receivables
Increase in payables

Net movement in working capital
Share-based payments expense
Foreign exchange gains

Interest paid
Interest received
Tax paid

Note

2013 
£’000

108,055
(1,517)

106,538
20,358
166
76

127,138
(6,719)
(1,321)
4,664

(3,376)
2,045
451

126,258
(1)
937
(26,795)

2012
£’000

96,248
(1,048)

95,200
18,678
–
(15)

113,863
(9,766)
(2,465)
11,955

(276)
1,803
218

115,608
–
756
(24,473)

Net cash generated from operating activities

100,399

91,891

Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment
Acquisition of intangible assets

Net cash utilised in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of share capital
Return of Capital to Shareholders
Dividends paid

Net cash flows utilised in financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Foreign exchange revaluations
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

10
(23,382)
(3,000)

634
(37,030)
(1,594)

(26,372)

(37,990)

589
(65,841)
(29,386)

346
 –
(24,248)

(94,638)

(23,902)

(20,611)
161
65,190

14

44,740

29,999
52
35,139

65,190

68

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
For the 52 weeks ended 29 June 2013

Issued 
share
capital 
£’000

Share 
premium
£’000

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£’000

Hedging 
reserve 
£’000

Retained 
earnings 
£’000

Total 
equity 
£’000

As at 2 July 2011

2,015

681

43,155

(295)

111,662

157,218

Profit for the financial year
Movement in fair value of cash flow hedges
Deferred tax on hedging movements

Total comprehensive income for the financial year

Issue of share capital
Share-based payments
Deferred tax on share-based payments
Current corporation tax on share options exercised
Dividends

Total transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity

–
–
–

–

8
–
–
–
–

8

–
–
–

–

344
–
–
–
–

344

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
343
(90)

253

71,222
–
–

71,222

71,222
343
(90)

71,475

–
–
–
–
–

–

(6)
1,803
(199)
631

346
1,803
(199)
631
(24,248) (24,248)

(22,019)

(21,667)

As at 30 June 2012

2,023

1,025

43,155

(42) 160,865 207,026

Profit for the financial year
Movement in fair value of cash flow hedges
Deferred tax on hedging movements

Total comprehensive income for the financial year

Issue of share capital
Share-based payments
Deferred tax on share-based payments
Current corporation tax on share options exercised
Dividends
Return of Capital to Shareholders

Total transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity

–
–
–

–

5
–
–
–
–
–

5

–
–
–

–

587
–
–
–
–
–

587

–
–
–

–

 2
–
–
–
–
–

2

–
443
(102)

81,454
–
–

81,454
443
(102)

341

81,454

81,795

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

(6)
2,045
1,006
461

588
2,045
1,006
461
(29,386) (29,386)
(65,841)
(65,841)

(91,721)

(91,127)

As at 29 June 2013

2,028

1,612

43,157

299 150,598 197,694

69

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany information 
Accounting policies

Basis of preparation
The Group financial statements consolidate those of the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the 
‘Group’). The Parent Company financial statements present information about the Company as a separate entity and 
not about its Group.

The Group financial statements have been prepared and approved by the Directors in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (‘Adopted IFRSs’) and in accordance with the provisions of the 
Companies Act 2006 and these are presented on pages 64 to 84.

The accounting policies set out below have, unless otherwise stated, been applied consistently to all periods presented 
in these Group financial statements.

The annual financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention except for financial instruments, 
which have been stated at fair value. The financial statements are prepared in pounds sterling, rounded to the nearest 
thousand.

Going concern 
The Group has considerable financial resources together with long standing relationships with a number of key 
suppliers and an established reputation in the retail sector across different geographic areas. As a consequence, the 
Directors believe that the Group is well placed to manage its business risks successfully. The Directors have a 
reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence 
for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Annual Report 
and financial statements.

Further information regarding the Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future 
development, performance and position is set out in the Directors’ Report and Business Review on pages 60 to 62. The 
financial position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are described in the Finance 
Director’s review on pages 16 to 19. In addition note 17 to the financial statements includes the Group’s objectives, 
policies and processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; and its exposures to credit risk 
and liquidity risk.

Use of estimates and judgements
The presentation of the annual financial statements requires the Directors to make judgements, estimates and 
assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. 
The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are 
believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are 
recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected.

The key estimates and judgements used in the financial statements are as follows:

Inventory provisions
The Group provides against the carrying value of inventories held, based upon average losses incurred to clear old and 
discounted lines. Sensitivities to the assumptions for specific product lines are not expected by management to result in 
a material change in the overall provisions.

Taxation
There are transactions whose ultimate tax treatment is uncertain. The Group makes provision for anticipated tax issues 
based on the likelihood of whether additional taxes may arise. The Group recognises deferred tax assets and liabilities 
based on estimates of future taxable income and recoverability. If these estimates do not materialise or change, or there 
are changes in tax rates or to the period over which losses might be recognised, then the value of the deferred tax 
assets or liability will need to be revised in a future period.

Equity-settled share-based payments
Certain employees and Directors of the Group receive equity-settled remuneration in the form of equity-settled share-
based payment transactions, whereby employees render services in exchange for shares or rights over shares. The cost 
of equity-settled transactions with employees is measured by reference to the fair value, determined using an 
appropriate pricing model, at the date at which they are granted. The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognised, 
together with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which the non-market vesting conditions are 
expected to be fulfilled, ending on the relevant vesting date. The cumulative expense recognised for equity-settled 
transactions at each reporting date until the vesting date is adjusted to reflect the Directors’ best available estimate of 
the number of equity instruments that will ultimately vest based upon non-market conditions.

It is not considered likely that any change in assumptions with respect to taxation or share-based payments would have 
a material impact on the financial statements.

70

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Basis of consolidation
Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Company. Control exists when the Company has the power, directly or 
indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. In 
assessing control, potential voting rights that presently are exercisable or convertible are taken into account. The 
financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control 
commences until the date that control ceases.

Transactions eliminated on consolidation
Intragroup balances, and any unrealised gains and losses or income and expenses arising from intragroup transactions, 
are eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

Revenue
Revenue represents the proceeds from sales of goods and related services. It excludes sales between Group companies 
and is after deducting returns, discounts given and VAT. For the majority of sales, revenue is recognised at the point of 
sale with the exception of custom made products, where revenue is recognised at the point that the goods are 
collected, and gift vouchers, where revenue is recognised when the vouchers are redeemed.

Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the prevailing rate at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and 
liabilities denominated in foreign currency are translated at the rates ruling at the balance sheet date. Resulting 
exchange gains or losses are recognised in the income statement for the period.

Intangible assets
These comprise software development and implementation costs and trademarks and are stated at cost less 
amortisation (see below). Costs incurred on the Group’s own brand are expensed as incurred.

Amortisation
Amortisation is charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset. 
These are as follows:

•	 software development 
•	 trademarks 

3 years 
5 years

Property, plant and equipment
Owned assets
Items of property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation (see below) and impairment 
losses.

Where parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate 
items of property, plant and equipment.

Depreciation
Depreciation is charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of each part of 
an item of property, plant and equipment. Land is not depreciated. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

•	 computer equipment
•	 freehold buildings
•	 fixtures and fittings
•	 motor vehicles
•	 office equipment
•	 plant and machinery
•	 leasehold improvements

3 years
50 years
4 years
4 years
5 years
4 years
over the period of the lease

The residual value of an asset, if significant, is reassessed annually.

Current assets
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other receivables are initially recognised at fair value and then carried at amortised cost net of  
impairment provisions.

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is derived using the average cost method and 
includes costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. Net realisable value is the 
estimated selling price less cost to sell in the ordinary course of business.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and call deposits. Bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand 
and form an integral part of the Group’s cash management are included as a component of cash and cash equivalents 
for the purpose of the statement of cash flows.

71

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationAccounting policies continued

Bank borrowings and borrowing costs
Interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts are recorded at their fair value. 

Borrowing costs are recognised as an expense in the financial period in which they are incurred.

Borrowings are classed as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the 
liability for at least 12 months from the balance sheet date.

Derivative financial instruments
Derivative financial instruments used are forward exchange contracts and are measured at fair value. The fair values are 
determined by reference to the market prices available from the market on which the instruments involved are traded.

Certain derivative financial instruments are designated as hedges in line with the Group’s treasury policy. Cash flow 
hedges are instruments that hedge exposure to variability in cash flows that is either attributable to a particular risk 
associated with a recognised asset or a liability or a highly probable forecasted transaction.

For cash flow hedges that proportion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument that is determined to be an effective 
hedge, as defined by IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’, is recognised in equity, directly in 
the hedge reserve with any ineffective portion recognised in the income statement. Such hedges are tested, both at 
inception to ensure they are expected to be effective and periodically throughout their duration to assess continuing 
effectiveness. When the forecast transaction results in the recognition of a non-financial asset or liability, the associated 
gains or losses previously recognised in equity are included in the initial measurement of the asset or liability. For all 
other cash flow hedges, the gains or losses that are recognised in equity are transferred to the income statement in the 
same period in which the hedge cash flows affect the income statement.

Any gains or losses arising from changes in fair value derivative financial instruments not designated as hedges are 
recognised in the income statement.

Impairment
The carrying amounts of the Group’s assets, other than inventories and deferred tax assets, are reviewed at each 
balance sheet date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, the asset’s 
recoverable amount is estimated.

The recoverable amount is the greater of net selling price and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future 
cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the 
time-value of money and the risks specific to the asset. For an asset that does not generate largely independent cash 
inflows, the recoverable amount is determined for the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

An impairment loss is recognised whenever the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit exceeds the 
recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognised in the income statement.

Share capital
Where the Company purchases its own equity share capital (treasury shares) the consideration paid, including any 
directly attributable incremental costs is deducted from equity attributable to the Company’s equity holders until the 
shares are cancelled or reissued. Where such shares are subsequently sold or reissued, any consideration received net 
of any directly attributable incremental transactions costs and the related income tax effects, is included in equity 
attributable to the Company’s equity holders. 

Provisions
A provision is recognised in the balance sheet when the Group has a current legal or constructive obligation as a result 
of a past event and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. A 
provision for onerous contracts is recognised when the expected benefit to be derived by the Group from a contract is 
lower than the unavoidable costs of meeting its obligations under the contract.

Expenses
Property leases
Lease incentives received are recognised in the income statement evenly over the full term of the lease.

Where leases for land and buildings provide for fixed rent review dates and amounts, the Group accounts for such 
reviews by recognising, on a straight-line basis, the total implicit minimum lease payments over the non-cancellable 
period of the lease term.

72

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Financing income/expense
Financing income/expense comprises interest payable on borrowings calculated using the effective interest rate 
method, interest receivable on funds invested and foreign exchange gains and losses.

Retirement benefits
The Group operates a defined contribution pension plan using a third-party provider. Obligations for the contributions 
to this plan are recognised as an expense in the income statement as incurred.

Share-based payment transactions
The Group operates an employee share save scheme open to all employees enabling them to save money which may be 
used after three years to acquire shares in the Company at a predetermined price.

The Group also operates other share option schemes enabling certain employees to acquire shares of the Company.

The fair value of options granted is recognised as an employee expense with a corresponding increase in equity. Fair 
value is measured at grant date and spread over the period during which the employees become unconditionally 
entitled to the options. Fair value is measured using the binomial model, taking into account the terms and conditions 
applicable to the options.

At each balance sheet date the Group revises its estimates of the number of share incentives that are expected to vest 
and amends the charge accordingly. 

Dividends
Dividends are recognised as a liability in the period in which they are approved such that the Company is obligated to 
pay the dividend.

Taxation
Tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the income statement 
except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in equity.

Current tax represents the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively 
enacted at the balance sheet date, together with any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax is provided using the balance sheet liability method, providing for temporary differences between the 
carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes.

A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available 
against which the asset can be recognised. Deferred tax assets are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable 
that the related tax benefit will be recognised.

New Standards and interpretations
In the current year there were no new standards adopted that had a material impact on the Group or Company results.

At the date of approval of these financial statements, the following relevant standards were endorsed by the EU, but 
not yet adopted by the Group:

IFRS 10 – Consolidated Financial Statements
IFRS 13 – Fair Value Measurement

The above will be adopted in the Group and Company financial statements when they become effective. When 
adopted, none of the above standards or amendments are expected to have any significant impact on the financial 
statements of the Group or Company. 

73

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationNotes to the annual financial statements
For the 52 weeks ended 29 June 2013 

1 Segmental reporting
The Group has one reportable segment, retail of homewares in the UK. 

The Chief Operating Decision Maker is the Board of Directors of Dunelm Group plc. Internal management reports are 
reviewed by them on a monthly basis. Performance of the segment is assessed based on a number of financial and 
non-financial KPI’s as well as on profit before taxation.

Management believe that these measures are the most relevant in evaluating the performance of the segment and for 
making resource allocation decisions.

All material operations of the reportable segment are carried out in the UK. The Group’s revenue is driven by the 
consolidation of individual small value transactions and as a result Group revenue is not reliant on a major customer or 
group of customers.

2 Operating profit
Operating profit is stated after charging the following items:

Inventories
 Cost of inventories included in cost of sales
 Movement on provisions for write down of inventories
Amortisation of intangible assets
Depreciation of owned property, plant and equipment
Impairment losses on non-current assets
Operating lease rentals
 Land and buildings
 Plant and machinery
Loss/(profit) on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

The analysis of auditors’ remuneration is as follows:

Fees payable to the Company’s auditors for the audit of the Parent and consolidated annual 

accounts

Fees payable to the Company’s auditors and their associates for other services to the Group
– audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation
– tax compliance 
– other tax services (See Audit and Risk Committee Report on page 45 for further information)

Total audit fees amounted to £76,900, fees for non-audit services amounted to £155,000.

3 Operating costs

Selling and Distribution
Administrative
Loss/(profit) on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

4 Employee numbers and costs
The average number of people employed by the Group (including Directors) was:

2013 
£’000

2012
£’000

341,545
666
2,125
18,233
166

30,690
1,354
76

310,971
1,021
2,445
16,233
–

28,287
1,310
(15)

2013 
£’000

2012
£’000

19

58
30
125

17

58
28
46

2013
£’000

183,926
39,037
243

2012
£’000

162,097
34,455
(15)

223,206

196,537

2013 
Number 
of heads

7,429
289
259

7,977

2013
Full time 
equivalents

4,238
284
252

4,774

2012
Number 
of heads

6,380
290
241

6,911

2012
Full time
equivalents

3,823
283
235

4,341

Selling
Distribution
Administration

74

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4 Employee numbers and costs continued
The aggregate remuneration of all employees including Directors comprises:

Wages and salaries including bonuses and termination benefits
Social security costs
Share–based payment expense (note 20)
Defined contribution pension costs

2013 
£’000

87,534
5,748
1,798
375

95,455

2012 
£’000

77,248
5,370
1,803
426

84,847

Details of Directors’ remuneration, share options, long-term incentive schemes and pension entitlements are disclosed 
in the Remuneration Report on pages 47 to 56.

5 Financial income and expense

Finance income
Interest on bank deposits
Foreign exchange gains (net)

Finance expenses
Interest on bank borrowings and overdraft

Net finance income

6 Taxation

Current taxation
UK corporation tax charge for the period
Adjustments in respect of prior periods

Deferred taxation

Origination of temporary differences
Adjustment in respect of prior periods

Total taxation expense in the income statement

The tax charge is reconciled with the standard rate of UK corporation tax as follows:

Profit before taxation
UK corporation tax at standard rate of 23.75% (2012: 25.5%)
Factors affecting the charge in the period:
Non–deductible expenses
Ineligible depreciation
Lease incentive deductions
Adjustments to tax charge in respect of prior years
Effect of standard rate of corporation tax change
(Profit) on disposal of ineligible assets

2013
£’000

906
612

1,518

(1)

(1)

2012 
£’000

778
270

1,048

–

–

1,517

1,048

2013 
£’000

2012
£’000

27,715 
(261)

27,454 

26,342
(679)

25,663

(1,018) 
165

(853) 

(768)
131

(637)

26,601 

25,026

2013 
£’000

108,055
25,663

27
1,108
(96)
(96)
9
(14)

2012
£’000

96,248
24,543

78
1,206
(109)
(548)
(63)
(81)

26,601

25,026

The taxation charge for the period as a percentage of profit before tax is 24.6% (2012: 26.0%).

A reduction in the UK corporation tax rate from 24% to 23% (effective from 1 April 2013) was substantively enacted on  
3 July 2012, and further reductions to 21% (effective from 1 April 2014) and 20% (effective from 1 April 2015) were 
substantively enacted on 2 July 2013. 

This will reduce the Company’s future current tax charge accordingly and further reduce the deferred tax asset at 29 June 
2013 (which has been calculated based on the rate of 23% substantively enacted at the balance sheet date) by £190,000.

75

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the annual financial statements continued
For the 52 weeks ended 29 June 2013 

7 Dividends
All dividends relate to the 1p Ordinary Shares. 

Final for the period ended 2 July 2011
Interim for the period ended 30 June 2012
Final for the period ended 30 June 2012
Interim for the period ended 29 June 2013

– paid 8.0p
– paid 4.0p
– paid 10.0p
– paid 4.5p

2013 
£’000

–
–
(20,259)
(9,127)

2012 
£’000

(16,158)
(8,090)
–
–

(29,386)

(24,248)

The Directors are proposing a final dividend of 11.5p per Ordinary Share for the period ended 29 June 2013 which 
equates to £23.3m. The dividend will be paid on 20 December 2013 to shareholders on the register at the close of 
business on 29 November 2013. The Directors have announced a special dividend amounting to £50.7m (25.0p per 
share), to be paid on 11 October 2013 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 20 September 2013.

8 Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit for the period attributable to equity shareholders by the 
weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue during the period.

For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue is adjusted to assume 
conversion of all dilutive Potential Ordinary Shares. These represent share options granted to employees where the 
exercise price is less than the average market price of the Company’s Ordinary Shares during the period.

Weighted average numbers of shares:

Weighted average number of shares in issue during the period
Impact of share options

Number of shares for diluted earnings per share

9 Intangible assets

Cost
At 2 July 2011
Additions
Transfers from tangible assets
Disposals

At 30 June 2012
Additions
Transfers from tangible assets
Disposals

At 29 June 2013

Amortisation
At 2 July 2011
Charge for the financial period
Disposals

At 30 June 2012
Charge for the financial period
Disposals

At 29 June 2013

Net book value
At 2 July 2011
At 30 June 2012

At 29 June 2013

52 weeks ended 
29 June 2013 
’000

52 weeks ended
2 July 2012 
‘000

202,598
1,291

201,968
1,008

203,889

202,976

Software 
development 
and licences 
£’000

Rights to 
Dorma 
brand 
£’000

4,925
1,590
26
(639)

5,902
3,001
148
–

9,051

2,332
1,438
(10)

3,760
1,115
–

4,875

2,593
2,142

4,176

5,036
4
–
–

5,040
–
–
–

5,040

2,937
1,007
–

3,944
1,010
–

4,954

2,099
1,096

86

Total 
£’000

9,961
1,594
26
(639)

10,942
3,001
148
–

14,091

5,269
2,445
(10)

7,704
2,125
–

9,829

4,692
3,238

4,262

All additions were acquired and do not include any internal development costs.

Transfers relate to assets which were classified initially as fixtures and fittings and leasehold improvements.

76

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10 Property, plant and equipment

Cost
At 2 July 2011
Additions
Transfers to intangible assets and reclassifications
Disposals

At 30 June 2012
Additions
Transfers to intangible assets and reclassifications
Disposals

Land and 
buildings 
£’000 

Leasehold 
improvements 
£’000

Plant and 
machinery
£’000

Motor vehicles 
£’000 

Fixtures and 
fittings 
£’000

66,207
12,826
–
–

79,033
719
49
–

68,509
13,279
25
(347)

81,466
11,237
52
(167)

1,600
727
14
(23)

2,318
546
–
(4)

45
–
–
(26)

19
–
–
(19)

38,330
10,198
(65)
(294)

48,169
10,880
(249)
(1,017)

Total 
£’000

174,691
37,030
(26)
(690)

211,005
23,382
(148)
(1,207)

At 29 June 2013

79,801

92,588

2,860

–

57,783

233,032

Depreciation
At 2 July 2011
Charge for financial period
On disposals

At 30 June 2012
Charge for financial period
On disposals
Impairment loss

At 29 June 2013

Net book value
At 2 July 2011
At 30 June 2012

At 29 June 2013

4,286
1,794
–

6,080
1,355
–
148

21,573
6,051
(160)

27,464
7,147
(96)
–

379
497
(6)

870
606
(2)
2

7,583

34,515

1,476

61,921
72,953

46,936
54,002

72,218

58,073

1,221
1,448

1,384

45
–
(26)

19
–
(19)
–

–

–
–

–

22,558
7,891
(190)

30,259
9,125
(1,002)
16

48,841
16,233
(382)

64,692
18,233
(1,119)
166

38,398

81,972

15,772
17,910

125,850
146,313

19,385

151,060

11 Deferred tax
Deferred tax is provided in full on temporary differences under the liability method using a taxation rate of 23%  
(2012: 24%).

Deferred taxation assets and liabilities are attributable to the following:

Property, plant and equipment
Other temporary differences
Share-based payments

Assets

Liabilities

Net

2013
£’000

– 
– 
2,207

2,207

2012
£’000

–
13
1,104

1,117

2013
£’000

(603)
(144)
– 

(747)

2012
£’000

(1,331)
(83)
–

(1,414)

2013
£’000

(603)
(144)
2,207

1,460

2012
£’000

(1,331)
(70)
1,104

(297)

The movement in the net deferred tax balance is as follows:

Property, plant and equipment
Employee benefits
Short-term temporary differences

Property, plant and equipment
Employee benefits
Short-term temporary differences

Balance at 
2 July 2011
£’000

Recognised in 
income 
£’000 

Recognised in 
equity 
£’000 

Balance at 
30 June 2012 
£’000

(1,670)
1,077
(52)

(645)

339
226
72

637

–
(199)
(90)

(289)

(1,331)
1,104
(70)

(297)

Balance at 
30 June 2012 
£’000

Recognised in 
income 
£’000 

Recognised in 
equity 
£’000 

Balance at 
29 June 2013 
£’000

(1,331)
1,104
(70)

(297)

728
97
28

853

– 
1,006
(102)

904

(603)
2,207
(144)

1,460

77

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the annual financial statements continued
For the 52 weeks ended 29 June 2013 

12 Inventories

Goods for resale

13 Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables
Other receivables
Prepayments and accrued income

2013 
£’000

2012 
£’000

92,940

86,221

2013 
£’000

351
3,579
14,414

18,344

2012 
£’000

345
2,969
13,740

17,054

All amounts fall due within one year. All trade receivables are current. No interest is charged on trade receivables, whilst 
these remain current. 

14 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand

2013 
£’000

2012
£’000

44,740

65,190

Included in the cash and cash equivalents is £19.7m (2012: £26.5m) of short term deposits, accessible at notice periods 
not exceeding three months.

15 Trade and other payables

Trade payables
Accruals and deferred income
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors

2013 
£’000

30,249
61,049
8,510
2,298

102,106

2012 
£’000

30,156
53,773
9,333
4,180

97,442

All amounts fall due within one year. All trade payables are current. No interest is charged on trade payables, whilst 
these remain current.

16 Interest bearing loans and borrowings
The Group maintains a £10m overdraft facility. Interest is payable on funds utilised under the facility at the rate of 1.5% 
above the bank’s base rate.

17 Financial risk management
The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the oversight of the Group’s risk management framework. A formal 
process for reviewing and managing risk in the business has been developed. A register of strategic and operational risks is 
maintained and reviewed quarterly by the Board, who also monitor the status of agreed actions to mitigate key risks.

Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet 
its contractual obligations and arises principally from the Group’s foreign exchange hedging agreements with it’s 
banking counterparties. The Group only deals with creditworthy counterparties and uses publicly available financial 
information to rate its counterparties. 

As the principal business of the Group is retail related, trade receivables consist of a relatively small number of 
customers, which tend to be charity or local authority based. The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the 
financial statements represents the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk. 

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Group’s 
approach to managing liquidity risk is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its 
liabilities when due, under both normal and extreme circumstances. The Group manages this risk by continuously 
monitoring cash flow forecasts. The Group’s available facilities can be found in note 16.

Group policy is that surplus funds are placed on deposit with counterparties approved by the Board, with a minimum of 
‘A’ credit rating. Credit limits with approved counterparties are limited to £25m for any individual party.

78

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
17 Financial risk management continued
Market risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange rates and interest rates will affect the 
Group’s income. 

Interest rate risk
The Group’s bank borrowings incur variable interest rate charges linked to LIBOR and Barclays Bank Base Rate. The 
Directors do not consider that future changes in interest rates are likely to cause a material direct impact on 
profitability. The Group’s exposure to interest rates on financial assets and liabilities is detailed in note 16.

Foreign currency risk
The Group is exposed to foreign currency risk on purchases denominated in US dollars. These amounted to 
approximately 16% of the total stock purchases in the year ended 29 June 2013. The outstanding US dollar liabilities at 
the year end were $525,000 (2012: $256,000) and payments on account were $6,234,000 (2012: $6,227,000).

During the year the Group entered into exchange rate swaps for $65.7m to sell sterling and buy US dollars. These swaps 
are accounted for as cash flow hedges. During the year the net mark to market profit on foreign currency hedging 
instruments taken to equity was £0.3m (2012: £0.3m). At the balance sheet date the Group had 16 swap contracts 
outstanding with a maximum value of $45.9m.

All of the Group’s revenues are in sterling. Purchases of promotional goods are generally in US dollars. Purchase of 
regular range goods are generally in sterling, although some lines are now being imported directly and paid for in US 
dollars. We cover exchange rate exposure on expected promotional product purchases up to a maximum of 100% of 
forecast purchases over a four month horizon. We cover exchange rate exposure on expected regular range purchases 
up to a maximum of 50% of forecast purchases over a 12 month horizon. We use various means to cover the above 
currency exposures; hold excess funds in US dollars, take out forward contracts for the purchase of US dollars, enter 
into forward rate options.

In the event of a significant adverse movement in the US dollar exchange rate, the Group would seek to minimise the 
impact on profitability by changing the selling price of goods.

Sensitivity analysis
The Group’s principal foreign currency exposure is to the US dollar. 

The Directors believe that an increase or decrease of 10% in the US dollar to sterling exchange rates would not have a 
material effect on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

The US dollar year end exchange rate applied in the above analysis is 1.5239 (2012: 1.5617). Strengthening and 
weakening of sterling may not produce symmetrical results depending on the proportion and nature of foreign 
exchange derivatives which do not qualify for hedge accounting.

Fair values
The fair value of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities is not materially different from their carrying value. The fair value 
of foreign currency contracts are sums required by the counterparties to cancel the contracts at the end of the year.

Fair value hierarchy
Financial instruments carried at fair value are required to be measured by reference to the following levels:

•	 Level 1: quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
•	 Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either 

directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and 

•	 Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

All financial instruments carried at fair value have been measured by a Level 2 valuation method. 

Gains on cash flow hedges during the year amounted to £387,000 (2012: gain £476,000).

Capital management
The Company manages its equity as capital.

The Board’s objective with respect to capital management is to ensure the Group continues as a going concern in order 
to optimise returns to shareholders. The Board’s policy is to retain a strong capital base so as to maintain investor, 
creditor and market confidence and to sustain future development. The Board regularly monitors the level of capital in 
the Group to ensure that this can be achieved.

From time to time the Group purchases its own shares on the market. The shares are intended to be used for issuing 
shares under the Group’s share option programmes. The Board has authorised a share purchase programme designed 
to ensure that all options expected to vest under share option schemes can be fulfilled out of treasury shares.

79

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationNotes to the annual financial statements continued
For the 52 weeks ended 29 June 2013 

17 Financial risk management continued
Financial assets and liabilities
The following table is a comparison by category of the carrying amounts and fair values of the Group’s financial assets 
and liabilities at 29 June 2013 and 30 June 2012.

2013 
Carrying value 
£’000

2013 
Fair value 
£’000

2012 
Carrying value 
£’000

Cash and cash equivalents
Trade receivables
Forward exchange contracts – current
Total financial assets
Trade payables
Forward exchange contracts – current
Total financial liabilities

Net financial assets

44,740
351
387
45,478
(30,249)
– 
(30,249)

44,740
351
387
45,478
(30,249)
– 
(30,249)

15,229

15,229

The fair value of trade receivables and trade payables are approximate to their carrying value.

The currency profile of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents is as follows:

Sterling
US dollar
Euro

65,190
345
–
65,535
(30,156)
(56)
(30,212)

35,323

2013 
£’000

41,321
3,137
282

44,740

As at 29 June 2013, the analysis of trade receivables that were past due but not impaired is as follows:

30 June 2012
29 June 2013

Total 
£’000

362
365

Neither past due 
nor impaired 
£’000

30
57

Less than 
30 days 
£’000

296
47

31–60 
days 
£’000

–
52

As at 29 June 2013, the analysis of trade payables that were past due but not impaired is as follows:

Total 
£’000

Neither past due 
nor impaired 
£’000

30,156
30,249

28,563
28,512

Less than 
30 days 
£’000

722
725

31–60 
days 
£’000

(25)
195

61–90 
days
£’000

3
3

61–90 
days
£’000

456
133

2012
Fair value 
£’000

65,190
345
–
65,535
(30,156)
(56)
(30,212)

35,323

2012 
£’000

64,116
878
196

65,190

More than 
90 days 
£’000

33
206

More than 
90 days 
£’000

440
684

30 June 2012
29 June 2013

18 Share capital

Number of 
Ordinary Shares 
of 1p each 
2013

202,255,248
574,940
202,830,188

Number of 
Ordinary Shares 
of 1p each 
2012

201,490,108
765,140
202,255,248

In issue at the start of the period
Issued during the period in respect of share option schemes
In issue at the end of the period

Proceeds received in relation to shares issued during the period were £589,000 (2012: £346,000).

Ordinary shares of 1p each:
Allotted, called up and fully paid

2013  
Number of 
shares

2013 
£’000

2012  
Number of  

shares

2012 
£’000

202,830,188

2,028 202,255,248

2,023

80

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19 Treasury shares
In the past the Company has acquired its own shares (‘treasury shares’) for the purpose of delivery to employees under 
employee share schemes. No such purchases were made during the financial year. 

The Company did not reissue any treasury shares during the year. (2012: nil). 

20 Share-based payments
As at 29 June 2013, the Group operated three share award plans:

a) Dunelm Group Share Option Plan (‘GSOP’)
b) Dunelm Group Savings Related Share Option Plan (‘Sharesave’)
c) Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’)

There were nil exercisable options in total under these schemes as at 29 June 2013 (2012: 128,228).

a) Dunelm Group Share Option Plan
The GSOP was established in December 2003. Options have a vesting period of three years from date of grant and a 
maximum life of 10 years. All subsequent grants have an exercise price equal to market price at date of grant. These 
grants are dependent on the level of growth in the Group’s EPS relative to RPI as well as continuing employment with 
the Group.

The fair value of services received in return for share options granted is measured by reference to the fair value of the 
options, assessed using a binomial model. The fair value per option granted and the assumptions used in the 
calculations are as follows:

Fair value at measurement date
Exercise price
Expected volatility (weighted average volatility used in modelling – based on historical 

volatility of comparable quoted companies)

Option life (weighted average life used in modelling)
Expected dividends
Risk-free interest rate

November 2012 
grant

October 2010 
grant

151.7p
641.5p

29%
3 years
2.5%
0.8%

145.8p
420.0p

36%
3 years
2.5%
1.7%

The number and weighted average exercise price of options under the GSOP at 29 june 2013 were as follows:

Outstanding at beginning of year
Granted during year
Exercised during year
Lapsed during year
Outstanding at end of year

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
2013

Number of 
shares under 
option 
2013 

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
2012 

Number of 
shares under 
option 
2012

420.0p
641.5p
–
–
497.3p

100,000
53,565
–
–
153,565

344.3p
–
137.0p
–
420.0p

136,495
–
(36,495)
–
100,000

b) Dunelm Group Savings Related Share Option Plan
The Sharesave scheme was established in 2006 and is open to all staff with eligible length of service. One grant was made 
under the scheme during the year, in November 2012. Options may be exercised under the scheme within six months of the 
completion of the three year savings contract which commenced on 1 January 2013. There is provision for early exercise in 
certain circumstances such as death, disability, redundancy and retirement.

The fair value per option granted and the assumptions used in the calculations are as follows:

Fair value at measurement date
Share price
Exercise price
Expected volatility (weighted average volatility used in modelling
– based on historical volatility of comparable quoted companies)
Option life (weighted average life used in modelling)
Expected dividends
Risk–free interest rate
Forfeiture rate

November 
2012

158.8p
674.5p
545.0p

32%
3.5 years
2.5%
0.8%
57%

November 
2011

November 
2010

160.2p
503.5p
361.0p

31%
3.5 years
2.5%
1.1%
38%

192.8p
497.5p
337.0p

43%
3.5 years
2.5%
1.7%
19%

81

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany information 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the annual financial statements continued
For the 52 weeks ended 29 June 2013 

20 Share-based payments continued
b) Dunelm Group Savings Related Share Option Plan continued
The number and weighted average exercise price of options outstanding under the Sharesave at 29 June 2013 was as 
follows:

Outstanding at beginning of year
Granted during year
Exercised during the year
Forfeited during year
Outstanding at end of year

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
2013

Number of 
shares under 
option 
2013 

Weighted 
average 
exercise price
2012 

321.5p
545.0p
254.6p
384.1p
413.0p

820,753
272,662
(231,548)
(83,282)
778,585

245.7p
361.0p
127.3p
263.4p
321.5p

Number of
shares under 
option 
2012

870,612
325,879
(230,051)
(145,687)
820,753

The weighted average share price at the time of exercise was 699.4p.

c) Long-Term Incentive Plan
The LTIP was approved by the Board in 2006 enabling the Group to award shares to particular individuals, normally in 
the form of nominal cost options. The LTIP is administered by the Remuneration Committee. One grant was made in the 
year, to the Executive Directors and senior management. The grants are exercisable in November 2015. These grants are 
dependent on the level of growth in Group EPS relative to RPI, as well as continuing employment. The maximum life of 
options under the LTIP is 10 years from the date of grant. Full details of this plan are included in the Remuneration 
Report on pages 47 to 56.

The fair value of services received in return for share options granted is measured by reference to the fair value of  
the options.

This has been calculated as follows:

Share price at date of grant
Discount factor, based on dividend yield of 2.5% to 
vesting date
Fair value of option

October 
2011

October 
2011

December 
2010

December 
2010

October 
2010

499.0p

451.0p

500.0p

500.0p

440.1p

0.927
462.9p

0.905
408.3p

0.881
440.6p

0.927
463.4p

November
2012

641.5p
0.779
499.5p

0.927
407.9p

November 
2011

431.0p
0.927
399.8p

Number of 
shares under 
option 
2012

1,499,266
441,477
(498,594)
(14,881)
1,427,268

Share price at date of grant
Discount factor, based on dividend yield of 2.5% to vesting date
Fair value of option

The number and weighted average exercise price of options under the LTIP at 29 June 2013 is as follows:

Outstanding at beginning of year
Granted during year
Exercised during year
Forfeited during year
Outstanding at end of year

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
2013

–
–
–
–
–

Number of 
shares under 
option 
2013 

1,427,268
300,905
(343,392)
(595)
1,384,186

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
2012 

–
–
–
–
–

The weighted average share price at the time of exercise was 686.8p.

d) Impact on income statement
The total expense recognised in the income statement arising from share-based payments is as follows:

GSOP
Sharesave
LTIP

82

2013 
£’000

63
342
1,640

2.045

2012 
£’000

45
337
1,421

1,803

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21 Commitments
As at 29 June 2013 the Group had entered into capital contracts amounting to £13.2m. The equivalent figure as at 
30June 2012 was £15.3m.

The future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases were as follows:

Within one year
In the second to fifth year inclusive
After five years

2013
Motor 
vehicles
£’000

895
2,354

3,249

2013
Land and 
buildings 
£’000

35,761
131,337
175,052

342,150

2013
Plant and 
machinery 
£’000

496
2,158
964

3,618

2012
Motor 
vehicles
£’000

552
392
–

944

2012
Land and 
buildings
£’000

31,005
111,904
142,666

285,575

2012 
Plant and 
machinery 
£’000

287
840
102

1,229

The Group has 121 operating leases in respect of properties. These leases run for periods of up to 20 years, with an 
option to renew leases on expiry. Lease payments are typically reviewed every five years.

The Group also leases a number of vehicles, shop fittings and items of computer hardware under operating leases. 
These vary in length.

22 Contingent liabilities
The Group had no contingent liabilities at either period end date.

23 Related parties
Identity of related parties
The Group has related party relationships with its subsidiaries and with its Directors. Transactions between the 
Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation for the Group.

Key management personnel
The key management personnel of the Group comprise members of the Board of Directors and the executive team.

Directors of the Company and their immediate relatives control 31.0% of the voting shares of the Company.

Disclosures relating to remuneration of Directors are set out in the Remuneration Report on pages 47 to 56 The 
remuneration of the key management personnel, excluding Directors of the Group, is set out below:

Salaries and other short-term benefits 
Post-employment benefits 
Share-based payments 

2013 
£’000

1,868
53
477

2,398

2012 
£’000

1,753
34
217

2,004

From time to time Directors of the Group, or their related entities, may purchase goods from the Group. These 
purchases are on the same terms and conditions as those entered into by other Group employees and values involved 
are trivial.

24 Ultimate controlling party
The Directors consider that the Adderley family is the ultimate controlling party of Dunelm Group plc by virtue of their 
combined shareholding.

25 Subsequent events
The Board have announced a special dividend amounting to £50.7m (25.0p per share), to be paid to shareholders on  
11 October 2013.

83

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany information 
 
Parent Company statement of financial position
As at 29 June 2013

Non-current assets
Investment in subsidiaries
Deferred tax asset

Total non-current assets

Current assets
Trade and other receivables
Current tax asset

Total current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Capital and reserves
Issued capital
Share premium
Non-distributable reserves
Capital Redemption Reserve
Retained earnings

Equity shareholders’ funds

Note

2013
£’000

2012 
£’000

4
5

6

7

10

48,466
1,165

49,631

47,500
611

48,111

146.201
806

147,007

196,638

168,949
916

169,865

217,976

(2,685)

(2,685) 

(2,612)

(2,612)

(2,685)

(2,612)

193,953

215,364

2,028
1,612
3,311
43,157
143,845

2,023
1,025
2,345
43,155
166,816

193,953

215,364

The financial statements on pages 84 to 92 were approved by the Board of Directors on 12 September 2013 and were 
signed on its behalf by:

David Stead
Director

12 September 2013

Company number 4708277

84

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parent Company statement of cash flows
For the 52 weeks ended 29 June 2013

Profit before tax 
Adjusted for: 
Net financing costs 

Operating profit 

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital 

Decrease/(increase) in receivables 
Increase in payables 

Net movement in working capital 

Investment income 
Share-based payments expense 

Cash flows from operating activities 

Dividends received 
Tax paid 
Interest paid 
Interest received 

Net cash generated from operating activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 
Proceeds from issue of share capital 
Return of Capital to shareholders
Dividends paid 

Net cash flows utilised in financing activities 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 

2013 
£’000

2012 
£’000

70,739

99,617 

(6,189)

(5,223) 

64,550

94,394 

22,748
73

22,821

(79,063) 
2,325 

(76,738) 

(70,000)
1,079

(100,000) 
1,022 

18,450

(81,322) 

70,000
–
–
6,189

94,639

100,000 
– 
– 
5,223 

23,901 

589
(65,842)
(29,386)

347 
–

(24,248) 

(94,639)

(23,901) 

–
–

–

– 
– 

– 

85

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany information 
 
Parent Company statement of changes in equity
For the 52 weeks ended 29 June 2013

As at 30 June 2011 

Profit for the financial year 

Total comprehensive income for the financial year 

Issue of share capital 
Share-based payments 
Deferred tax on share-based payments 
Current corporation tax on share options exercised 
Dividends 

Total transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity 

Issued 
share 
capital 
£’000

Share 
premium 
£’000

Capital 
redemption
 reserve 
£’000

Non–
distributable 
reserve 
£’000

Retained 
earnings 
£’000

Total 
£’000

2,015 

681 

43,155 

1,564  90,150 

137,565 

– 

– 

8 
– 
– 
– 
– 

8 

– 

– 

344 
– 
– 
– 
– 

344 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

99,677 

99,677 

99,677 

99,677 

– 
781 
– 
– 
– 

781 

(6) 
1,022 
(157) 
378 

346 
1,803 
(157) 
378 
(24,248)  (24,248) 

(23,011) 

(21,878) 

As at 2 July 2012 

2,023 

1,025 

43,155 

2,345 

166,816  215,364 

Profit for the financial year 

Total comprehensive income for the financial year 

Issue of share capital 
Share-based payments 
Deferred tax on share-based payments 
Current corporation tax on share options exercised 
Dividends 
Return of Capital to shareholders

Total transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity 

–

–

5
–
–
–
–
–

5

–

–

587
–
–
–
–
–

587

–

–

2
–
–
–
–
–

2

–

–

70,549

70,549

70,549

70,549

(6)
1,079
430
205

588
–
2,045
966
430
–
–
205
– (29,386) (29,386)
(65,842) (65,842)
–

 966 (93,520)

(91,960)

As at 29 June 2013 

2,028

1,612

43,157

3,311

143,845 193,953

The non-distributable reserve’s purpose is to reflect movements in share-based payments in respect of awards given by 
the Parent Company to employees of subsidiaries. 

86

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
Parent Company accounting policies

Basis of preparation
The Company financial statements have been prepared and approved by the Directors in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (‘Adopted IFRSs’) and as applied in accordance with the provisions 
of the Companies Act 2006. 

The accounts of the Company are prepared under the historical cost convention, in accordance with the Companies Act 
2006, applicable accounting standards and specifically in accordance with the accounting policies set out below.

After making enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to 
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern 
basis in preparing the financial statements.

Investments
Investments in subsidiary undertakings are stated at the adjusted cost of the investment, Scope of IFRS 2 share-based 
payments requires the Parent Company to recognise an increase in the cost of its investment in a subsidiary which has 
issued share options in the Parent Company’s shares to its employees.

Current assets
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other receivables are initially recognised at fair value and then carried at amortised cost net of  
impairment provisions. 

Bank borrowings and borrowing costs
Interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts are recorded at their fair value. 

Borrowing costs are recognised as an expense in the financial period in which they are incurred.

Borrowings are classed as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the 
liability for at least 12 months from the balance sheet date.

Bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Group’s cash management are included 
as a component of cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the statement of cash flows.

Where a Group Company enters into financial guarantee contracts to guarantee the indebtedness of other Group 
Companies within the Group, the Company considers these to be insurance arrangements for them as such. In this 
respect, the Company treats the guarantee contract as a contingent liability until such time as it becomes probable the 
Company will be required to make a payment under the guarantee.

Share capital
Where the Company purchases its own equity share capital (treasury shares) the consideration paid, including any 
directly attributable incremental costs is deducted from equity attributable to the Company’s equity holders until the 
shares are cancelled or reissued. Where such shares are subsequently sold or reissued, any consideration received net 
of any directly attributable incremental transactions costs and the related income tax effects, is included in equity 
attributable to the Company’s equity holders.

Share-based payments
The Company operates three share option schemes details of which are set out in note 12. 

The fair value of options granted is realised as an employee expense with a corresponding increase in equity. The fair 
value of employee services received in the subsidiaries under these schemes are recognised as an expense in the 
financial statements of the subsidiary undertakings which benefit from the employee services. The company has 
recognised the fair value of the share-based payments as an increase in equity with a corresponding adjustment to 
investments. 

Fair value is measured at grant date and spread over the period during which the employees become unconditionally 
entitled to the options. Fair value is measured using the binomial model, taking into account the terms and conditions 
applicable to the options.

At each balance sheet date the Company revises its estimates of the number of share incentives expected to vest. Any 
impact of this revision is recognised as an adjustment to equity with a corresponding adjustment to investments.

Dividends
Dividends are recognised as a liability in the period in which they are approved such that the Company is obligated to 
pay the dividend.

87

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationParent Company accounting policies continued

Taxation
Tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the income statement 
except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in equity.

Current tax represents the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively 
enacted at the balance sheet date, together with any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax is provided using the balance sheet liability method, providing for temporary differences between the 
carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes.

A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available 
against which the asset can be recognised. Deferred tax assets are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable 
that the related tax benefit will be recognised.

Adopted IFRS and IFRIC not yet applied
At the date of approval of these financial statements, the following standards, amendments and interpretations were in 
place but not yet effective:

New Standards and interpretations
In the current year there were no new standards adopted that had a material impact on the Group or Company results.

At the date of approval of these financial statements, the following relevant standards were endorsed by the EU, but 
not yet adopted by the Group:

IFRS 12 – Interest in other entities
IFRS 13 – Fair Value Measurement

The above will be adopted in the Group and Company financial statements when they become effective. When 
adopted, none of the above standards or amendments are expected to have any significant impact on the financial 
statements of the Group or Company. 

88

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Notes to the Parent Company financial statements
For the 52 weeks ended 29 June 2013

1 Income statement
The Company made a profit after tax of £70,549,000 (2012: £99,677,000). The Directors have taken advantage of the 
exemption available under section 408 Companies Act 2006 and have not presented an income statement for the 
Company alone.

The Company is not required to give details of the fees paid to its auditors in accordance with the Companies 
(Disclosure of Auditor Remuneration) Regulations 2005.

2 Employee costs
The Company has no employees other than the three Executive Directors. Full details of the Directors’ remuneration 
and interest are set out in the Remuneration Report on pages 47 to 56, and share-based payments details in note 20  
on pages 81 to 82.

3 Dividends
All dividends relate to the 1p Ordinary Shares.

Final for the period ended 2 July 2011 – paid 8.0p 
Interim for the period ended 30 June 2012 – paid 4.0p 
Final for the period ended 30 June 2012 – paid 10.0p 
Interim for the period ended 29 June 2013 – paid 4.5p 

2013 
£’000

–
–
(20,259)
(9,127)

2012 
£’000

(16,158) 
(8,090) 
– 
– 

(29,386)

(24,248) 

The Directors are proposing a final dividend of 11.5p per Ordinary Share for the period ended 29 June 2013 which 
equates to £23.3m. The dividend will be paid on 20 December 2013 to shareholders on the register at the close of 
business on 29 November 2013. The Directors have announced a special dividend amounting to £50.7m (25.0p per 
share), to be paid on 11 October 2013 to shareholders on the register at close of business on 20 September 2013.

4 Investments
Shares in subsidiary undertakings.

As at 3 July 2011
Share-based payments 
As at 30 June 2012 
Share-based payments 

As at 29 June 2013 

£’000

46,719 
781 
47,500 
966

48,466

The following were subsidiaries as at 29 June 2013: 

Subsidiary 

Proportion of ordinary shares held

Nature of business

Dunelm (Soft Furnishings) Limited 
Dunelm Estates Limited 
Dunelm Limited 
Dunelm Card Services Limited
Ensco 735 Limited* 
Zoncolan Limited*

*  Share Capital held by subsidising undertakings

100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 

Retailer of soft furnishings 
Property holding company 
Dormant 
Dormant 
Property holding company 
Property holding company 

All of the above subsidiaries and the Parent Company are registered and operate in England and Wales. 

5 Deferred tax assets

Employee benefits 

Assets

2013 
£’000

1,165 

2012 
£’000

611 

89

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany informationNotes to the Parent Company financial statements continued
For the 52 weeks ended 29 June 2013

5 Deferred tax assets continued
The movement in deferred tax assets is as follows: 

Employee benefits 

Employee benefits 

Balance at 
2 July 2011 
£’000

Recognised in
 income 
£’000 

Recognised in 
equity 
£’000 

Balance at 
20 June 2012 
£’000

655 

113 

 (157)

 611

Balance at 
30 July 2012 
£’000

Recognised in 
income 
£’000 

Recognised in 
equity 
£’000 

Balance at 
29 June 2013 
£’000

611 

124

430

1,165

Deferred tax assets are recognised for other temporary differences to the extent that the realisation of the related tax 
benefit through future taxable profits is probable.

6 Trade and other receivables

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings 
Prepayments and accrued income 
Other taxation and social security 

2013 
£’000

146,174
27
–

2012 
£’000

168,912 
37 
– 

146,201

168,949 

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings are immediately repayable. Interest is charged monthly on all intercompany 
balances at an annual rate of 5.25%.

7 Trade and other payables

Trade payables 
Accruals and deferred income 
Other taxation and social security 
Other creditors 

2013 
£’000

72
2,469
124
20

2,685

2012 
£’000

24 
2,388 
180 
20 

2,612 

8 Interest bearing loans and borrowings
On 7 February 2013 the Company entered into a £10m overdraft facility. Interest is payable on funds utilised under the 
facility at the rate of 1.5% above the bank’s base rate.

9 Financial risk management
Capital management
The following table is a comparison by category of the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial 
assets and liabilities at 29 June 2013 and 30 June 2012.

Subsidiary loans 

Total financial assets 

Trade payables 

Total financial liabilities 

Net financial assets 

2013 
Carrying value 
£’000

146,174

146,174

2013 
Fair value 
£’000

146,174

146,174

2012
Carrying value 
£’000

168,912 

168,912 

2012 
Fair value 
£’000

168,912 

168,912 

(72) 

(72)

(72)

(72)

(24) 

(24) 

(24) 

(24) 

146,102

146,102

168,888 

168,888 

The fair value on subsidiary loans and trade payables are approximate to the carrying value.

90

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 201310 Share capital

In issue at the start of the period
Issued during the period in respect of share option schemes
In issue at the end of the period

Number of 
Ordinary Shares 
of 1p each 
2013

202,255,248
574,940
202,830,188

Number of 
Ordinary Shares 
of 1p each 
2012

201,490,108
765,140
202,255,248

Proceeds received in relation to shares issued during the period were £588,000 (2012: £343,000). 

2013
Number of shares

2013 
£’000

2012 
Number of shares

Ordinary Shares of 1p each
Allotted, called up and fully paid

202,830,188

2,028

202,255,248

2012 
£’000

2,023

The holders of the Ordinary Shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared and are entitled to one vote per share.

11 Treasury shares 
In the past the Company has acquired its own shares (‘treasury shares’) for the purpose of delivery to employee share 
schemes. No such purchase was made during the year.

The Company did not reissue any treasury shares during the year (2012: nil).

12 Share-based payments
As at 29 June 2013, the Company operated one share award plan:

Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’)

There were no exercisable options as at 29 June 2013.

Long-Term Incentive Plan
The LTIP was approved by the Board prior to IPO enabling the Company to award shares to particular individuals, 
normally in the form of nominal cost options. The LTIP is administered by the Remuneration Committee. One grant have 
been made in the year, to the Executive Directors. The grant is exercisable in November 2015 depending on the level of 
growth in Group EPS relative to RPI, the grant awarded to Nick Wharton is over the financial years 2012/13 to 2014/15. 
The maximum life of options under LTIP is 10 years from the date of grant. Full details of this plan are included in the 
Remuneration Report on pages 47 to 56.

The fair value of services received in return for share options granted is measured by reference to the fair value of the 
options. 

This has been calculated as follows:

Share price at date of grant
Discount factor, based on dividend yield of 2.5% 

to vesting date

Fair value of option

November
2012

641.5p

0.779

499.5p

November
2011

October 
2011

December 
2010

431.0p

499.0p

500.0p

0.927

399.8p

0.927

462.7p

0.881

440.6p

The number and weighted average exercise price of options under the LTIP at 29 June 2013 is:

Outstanding at beginning of year
Granted during year
Exercised during year
Lapsed during year
Outstanding at end of year

Weighted 
average exercise 
price 
2013

Number of
shares under 
option 
2013

Weighted 
average exercise 
price 
2012 

–
–
–
–
–

918,594
157,131
(209,164)
–
866,561

–
–
–
–
–

The total expense recognised in the income statement arising from share-based payments is as follows:

LTIP

2013 
£’000

1,079

1,079

December
2010

500.0p

0.927

463.4p

Number of 
shares under 
option 
2012

1,034,923
321,508
(437,837)
–
918,594

2012 
£’000

1,022

1,022

91

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Business overviewBusiness reviewGovernanceFinancial statementsCompany information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Parent Company financial statements continued
For the 52 weeks ended 29 June 2013

13 Contingent liability
The Company and certain subsidiaries have given joint and several guarantees in connection with all bank facilities 
provided by the Group’s principal bankers.

The Group’s banking facilities are subject to a netting facility whereby credit balances may be offset against 
indebtedness of other Group companies.

14 Related party disclosure
The amount due to the Company from subsidiary undertakings is set out in note 6. Transactions between the Company 
and its subsidiaries were as follows:

Cash paid to Group undertakings
Cash received from Group undertakings
Dividends received
Net interest receivable

2013
£’000

(99,755)
827
70,000
6,189

2012
£’000

(26,590)
432
100,000
5,223

92

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
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Advisers and contacts

Corporate Brokers
and Financial Advisers

Legal Advisers

Auditor

Principal Bankers

Registrars

Financial Public Relations

Registered Office

Investor Relations

UBS Investment Bank
1 Finsbury Avenue
London EC2M 2PP

Tel: 020 7567 8000

Oriel Securities Limited
150 Cheapside
London EC2V 6ET

Tel: 020 7710 7600

Allen & Overy LLP
One Bishops Square
London E1 6AO

Tel: 020 3088 0000

KPMG Audit plc
1 Waterloo Way
Leicester LE1 6LP

Tel: 0116 256 6000

Barclays Bank plc
Midlands Corporate Banking
PO Box 333 15
Colmore Row
Birmingham B3 2WN

Tel: 0845 755 5555

Equiniti
Aspect House
Spencer Road
Lancing
West Sussex BN99 6DA

Tel: 0871 384 20301

MHP Communications
60 Great Portland Street
London W1W 7RT

Tel: 020 3128 8100

Store Support Centre
Watermead Business Park
Syston
Leicestershire LE7 1AD
Company Registration No: 4708277

investorrelations@dunelm.com

Tel: 0116 2644356

1   Calls to this number are charged at 8p per minute from a BT landline. Charges from other telephone providers may vary or, if dialling internationally, on 

+44 (0) 121 415 7047. The helpline is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm, excluding bank holidays

93

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
 
 
 
Dunelm Store listing

Superstores

Aberdeen

Ballymena

Banbury

Bangor 

Barnsley

Barnstaple 

Barrow in Furness

Bedford

Belfast

Birmingham

Blackpool

Bolton

Bournemouth

Bradford

Bridgend

Broadstairs

Burton

Bury St Edmunds

Cambridge

Canterbury

Cardiff

Carlisle

Cheltenham

Chester

Chesterfield

Clydebank

Colchester

Coleraine

Coventry

Crewe

Dartford

Derby

Doncaster

Dumfries

Dundee 

Dunstable

Eastbourne

Edinburgh

Enfield

Erdington

Exeter

Falkirk

High Street

Boston (2 stores)

Cannock (2 stores)

Coalville

94

Fareham

Fenton

Gloucester

Grantham

Greenford

Grimsby

Halifax

Harrow

Hartlepool

Hastings

Hemel Hempstead

Hereford

Huddersfield

Hull

Huntingdon

Ilkeston

Inverness

Ipswich

Isle of White

Kettering

Kidderminster

Kilmarnock

Kirkcaldy

Lancaster

Leeds

Lincoln

Liverpool

Llanelli

Londonderry

Maidstone

Mansfield

Milton Keynes

Newbury

Newport

Newtownabbey

Norwich

Nottingham

Nuneaton

Oldbury

Oxford

Perth

Peterborough

Plymouth

Preston

Radcliffe

Reading

Rochdale

Romford

Rotherham

Rugby

Scarborough

Scunthorpe

Sheffield

Shoreham

Shrewsbury

Sittingbourne

Southport

St Albans

St Helens

Stafford

Stevenage

Stockport

Stockton

Sunderland

Swansea

Swindon

Taunton

Telford 

Thurmaston

Thurrock

Torquay

Trafford

Truro 

Uddingston

Walsall

Warrington

Wellingborough

Weston-Super-Mare

Wisbech

Wolverhampton

Worcester

Workington

Wrexham

York

Hillsborough

Hinckley

Loughborough

Newcastle

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013Notes

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Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013 
 
 
 
Notes

96

Dunelm Group plc Annual report and accounts 2013D

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Tel: 0116 264 4356
Email: investorrelations@dunelm.com

www.dunelm.com