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June 2025

Dunelm distributes over 100,000 surprise bags from its Pausa Cafes in first year of 'Too Good To Go' partnership

Partnership has led to significant reduction in food waste, with over 290 tonnes of CO2e avoided

Stores Sustainability

Dunelm, the UK’s leading homewares retailer, has distributed over 100,000 Surprise Bags of surplus food to customers in the first year of its partnership with Too Good To Go, significantly reducing food waste from its in-store Pausa Cafés.

The partnership has been operational in 153 Dunelm stores over the past 12 months, offering customers access to good surplus food at great value for money, with Surprise Bags available for just £3.20.

Over the year, customers wishing to purchase a Too Good To Go Surprise Bag have received a selection of hot and cold food, including sandwiches, cakes and fruit.

With over 290 tonnes of CO2e avoided in food waste, this is the equivalent of 52 flight tickets around the world or 553,321 filled baths.

Too Good To Go is a certified B Corp social impact company working with companies to prevent food waste by allowing customers to purchase surplus food from restaurants, convenience retailers and producers in an affordable way. Users download the free Too Good To Go app and search for nearby businesses that offer unsold food, where they can then purchase a Surprise Bag filled with great food at a fraction of its original retail value, collect it at an allotted time and enjoy. 

Holly Davies, Head of Pausa at Dunelm, commented: “One year into our partnership with Too Good To Go, it’s great to see the significant impact being made, both to reduce food waste and provide customers with great food at fantastic value. Customer feedback has been really encouraging and we look forward to making further progress as we move into the second year of the partnership.”  

Sophie Trueman, Country Director UK & Ireland at Too Good To Go, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have reached the milestone of 100,000 Surprise Bags saved in partnership with Dunelm. Through their Pausa Cafés, they’ve shown real leadership in tackling food waste in a space where it’s often overlooked. This milestone reflects the power of thinking differently about where food waste happens, and the positive impact we can have when we act on it. Every Surprise Bag saved through Pausa is a reminder that small changes in unexpected places can drive meaningful change.”

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 c.85,000 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 200 stores across the UK and has developed a successful online offer through dunelm.com which includes home delivery and Click & Collect options. 155 stores now 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 c.11,500 colleagues. It has been listed on the London Stock Exchange since October 2006 (DNLM.L) and the business has returned c.£1.5bn in distributions to shareholders since IPO.