Independent furniture and homewares department store chain Collingwood Batchellor has reported a slight decline in sales while profit experienced a small uptick.

According to its latest filed accounts for the year ended 2 February 2025, total sales fell 4.2% to £11.2m from £11.7m in 2024.

Pre-tax profit resulted at £1.9m, up from £1.8m compared to the previous year.

Stated within its report, the company said: “While 2024/25 presented its challenges, the Directors remain pleased about the progress that we have achieved. As reported in the press, the retail sector faced difficulties, and our business was not immune to them, experiencing a slight decline in turnover.

“However, we managed to maintain our margins effectively and, through careful control of overheads, we have achieved a respectable net profit.

“After several years of discussions with Crawley Council, the Company now hopes to be granted planning permission for an extension to the unit. This will allow the storage business to expand and further improve furniture operation.

“Next year, significant increases in costs are anticipated across the board, including the recent changes in national insurance and living wage rates.

“These rising cost pressures will present challenges. Consequently, the Company will be focusing on reducing overheads and reviewing the stores and product ranges to adapt accordingly.”