January 2024

Dunelm extends solar programme in sustainability push

Dunelm is stepping up its commitment to having lower impact operations through an acceleration of its extensive solar panel installation project.

Sustainability Stores

Dunelm is stepping up its commitment to having lower impact operations through an acceleration of its extensive solar panel installation project. This financial year will see 2,642 panels installed across Dunelm’s portfolio.

Over 2,600 panels to be installed this financial year:

Recent installations across stores and support sites
This year’s programme will produce 930,700 kWh’s of electricity, boosting the business’s renewable energy credentials

Dunelm, the UK’s largest homewares retailer, is stepping up its commitment to having lower impact operations through an acceleration of its extensive solar panel installation project.

The installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels has recently been completed at five stores, including 442 at the Bristol store, 410 at Derby, 356 at Romford and 398 at Swansea. 262 panels have also been installed on the roof at Dunelm’s Head Office in Syston, Leicester.

The business has plans to install PV panels across another three sites before the end of June 2024 which, in total, will produce approximately 337,302 kWh’s of electricity as the business continues to decarbonise its operations.

Despite the expansion of its store portfolio, now at 183 stores following three recent openings, overall store electricity usage at Dunelm has remained flat, in line with 2019 usage, with 99.7% of energy from renewable sources in the last financial year.

Alongside the solar panel project, Dunelm is improving sustainability across its operations, including a focus on energy efficiency across its sites:

Transitioned to Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) qualifying electricity sources for the majority of sites in 2019
Engaging colleagues to promote energy efficiency
Replacing gas-fired heating and refrigerants with lower-carbon alternatives
Increasing recycling of waste

Dunelm’s approach to sustainability is centred on being Good & Circular, with a focus on Planet, Communities and People.

Steve Barton, Director of Property at Dunelm, commented: "We’re very proud to be stepping up the solar panel rollout across our sites. It’s just one part of our commitment to reducing our environmental impact and in line with our ambition to reach net zero by 2040."

Notes to editors

Dunelm is the UK's market leader in homewares with a purpose 'to help create the joy of truly feeling at home, now and for generations to come'. Its specialist customer proposition offers value, quality, choice and style across an extensive range of products, spanning multiple homewares and furniture categories and including services such as Made to Measure window treatments.

The business was founded in 1979 by the Adderley family, beginning as a curtains stall on Leicester market before expanding its store footprint. The business has grown to 183 stores across the UK and has developed a successful online offer through dunelm.com which includes home delivery and Click & Collect options. Most stores include Pausa coffee shops, where customers can enjoy a range of hot and cold food and drinks.

From its textiles heritage in areas such as bedding, curtains, cushions, quilts and pillows, Dunelm has built a comprehensive offer as ‘The Home of Homes’ including furniture, kitchenware, dining, lighting, outdoor, decoration and DIY. The business predominantly sells specialist own-brand products sourced from long-term, committed suppliers.

Dunelm is headquartered in Leicester and employs over 11,000 colleagues.