Soft furnishings multi-channel retailer Julian Charles has reported a growth in sales while losses narrowed.

According to its latest filed accounts for the year ended 30 April 2024, total sales rose 7% to £18.8m from £17.6m in 2023. Pre-tax losses amounted to £531,000, narrowing from its loss of £978,000 recorded in the previous year.

Stated within its report, the company, said: “Despite significant challenges within the UK retail market, the business enjoyed sales growth on last year of 4% across stores and the online channel combined. The base store estate delivered 7% growth on last year, with like for like sales for all stores increasing by 4%.

“The business plans to continue to grow the retail estate through opening new stores in key markets. There is a strong pipeline of new stand-alone sites along with concessions within garden centres set to open over the next twelve months.

“Online sales saw like for like growth of 5%. This was driven by an increased range of ‘dropship’ products offered to consumers, shipped directly from suppliers. These include an extension to the current range of home products, along with new products such as lighting, curtains, bathroom, outdoor rugs, window blinds, curtain poles, pet beds, fragrances and other home décor.

“In common with most businesses operating in the retail sector, the Group faces continued risks relating to a downturn in consumer footfall alongside the shift in spending habits from physical retail to online.

“However, the like for like growth in stores demonstrates that there is still a market for traditional ‘bricks and mortar’ retailing, with opportunities to increase the retail footprint in locations not yet explored. The business continues to invest in its online offering to ensure that consumers can engage and transact with the business in their preferred channel.”