Home, garden and leisure retailer The Range has reported a slight uptick in sales as losses widened.

According to its latest filed accounts for the year ended 28 January 2024, total sales rose 2.7%, or by £34m, to £1.29bn from £1.26bn in 2023.

Pre-tax losses amounted to £22.8m, widening from a loss of £18m recorded the previous year.

Stated within its report, the group said: “The increase was primarily driven by the opening of 12 new stores during the period. The increase was also reflective of the strong underlying performance of the business, despite a poor summer which had an adverse impact on key patio sales during the period.

“The uncertainty created by the cost-of-living crisis has also directly impacted trading as customers were more cautious in their approach to discretionary purchases.”

Gross profit margin increased to 34% from 31.9% with the increase caused by reduced rent and demurrage costs, material decreases in freight costs and a general reduction in the cost of goods.

Post-period end and more recently, CDS Superstores, owner of The Range and Wilko, has acquired the Homebase brand name, intellectual property and up to 70 of its UK stores after the DIY retailer entered administration. Read more.