Kitchenware brand sales nudge £40m

MANCHESTER-based Designer Habitat, one of the fastest growing multi-channel lifestyle retailers in the UK, has reported record results for 2016 as it celebrates sustained growth for a seventh consecutive year.

Launched in 2009, the kitchen and homeware products retailer is on track to hit  £39m turnover after a successful year that has seen the business grow by 75%, while headcount has increased by 33% – and the business is recruiting for a further 30 members of staff.  

The company, which employs over 100 staff in Manchester and Bolton and exports more than 900 different products, launched its own retail website 18 months ago.

Ranges for its VonHaus homeware and VonShef kitchenware brands are developed in-house and sold direct to consumers via its dedicated e-commerce site, Domu.co.uk, and through online marketplace Amazon.

In September 2015 the business announced a new partnership with Tesco to sell the VonShef and VonHaus brands online.

Mark Januszewski, chief executive and co-founder of Designer Habitat, said: “Designer Habitat is an incredibly ambitious business, which has gone from strength to strength over the last seven years. From starting the business with a £120 loan to now buying and selling across two continents with over 100 staff – it’s a fantastic energy to be a part of.

“After seeing consistent year-on-year growth over the last seven years, we’re now entering a new phase for the business as we look to change, grow and adapt to new markets. Our people are our most important assets, and we’ll continue to invest in them as we look to grow the business further. We’re extremely excited to see what the next year will bring for Designer Habitat.”