The furniture retailer, which removed its profit guidance following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, has said it now expects to record a pre-tax loss in the range of £56-£58m excluding Sofa Workshop and Dwell restructuring costs over the 52 week period to June 28.

DFS sales dropped 27% during the period to £725m, although online orders have jumped 77% year on year in the period from March 23 to July 12 as shoppers switched to online spending during lockdown.

The specialist retailer said that sales following reopening have been “markedly above prior year comparatives”, with sales up 69% in the period from June 1 to July 12.