Our history

 


John Fallon Headshot Crop V2 

2023

During the year the year John Fallon became our Chief Financial Officer.

We continued to extend our leadership position+2%pts share gain to record high of 38%.

2022

In 2022 we launched our new strategy to "Lead furniture retailing in the digital age."   We grew our market share to 36%.

 

 Our history
 Everyone Welcome

2021

During the year the Group's Leadership Team has developed our Inclusivity and Diversity strategy.

The mission is to make DFS a place "Everyone is Welcome" and whose ethnic make-up reflects the society in which we operate our business.

2020

In 2020 we launched the first phase of our ESG strategy and commenced the roll out of the Sofa Delivery Company.

We sold our Sofa Workshop business as we focus our business strategy on our key brands DFS and Sofology.

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 Shop Online

2019

New strategy launched for 2019 to lead sofa retailing in the digital age

DFS Group achieves it's highest market share - 34%

2018

Tim Stacey succeeds Ian Filby as DFS Group CEO.

DFS becomes the first upholstered furniture retailer to be awarded the BSI KitemarkTM

DFS features in the Top 25 Best Big Companies to work for in The Sunday Times.

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 2017 Dfs

2017

DFS acquires Sofology, the third largest retailer of sofas in the UK and the fourth addition to the DFS Group portfolio.

DFS launches brand partnership with Joules - designing, making and retailing upholstery products exclusively for the Joules brand.

DFS integrates ‘Swoosh’, furniture visualisation technology, across all DFS stores.

2016

DFS becomes an official partner of Team GB, supporting British athletes at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games 

2016 Dfs

2015 Dfs

 2015

DFS is listed on the London Stock Exchange

DFS acquires Spanish operation and opened its first official store in San Javier, Spain

 Dutch Shop Resize

2014

DFS opens its 100th store in the UK

DFS enters Continental Europe, opening its first store in The Netherlands

DFS launches its Modern Apprenticeship Programme offering young people training and employment opportunities in retail and manufacturing

2013

DFS acquires Sofa Workshop, premium retailer of British-made upholstery and dwell, modern furniture and home accesories retailer

DFS teams up with BBC Children in Need and launches the 'Give Me Five' fundraising initiative offering customers a chance to win their whole order for free by entering a monthly prize draw

 2013 Dfs
 FC Brand Partnership1

2012

DFS enters the Republic of Ireland, opening two stores in Dublin and Cork

Exclusive brand partnerships are launched with Country Living, House Beautiful, French Connection and G-Plan

DFS launches a partnership with British Heart Foundation offering customers a free, convenient and responsivle way to recycle their old sofa while raising money for the charity

2010

DFS is acquired by Advent International, a well-established global private equity firm

2004

DFS is acquired and taken private by a company owned and controlled by Lord Kirkham and his family

2003

DFS becomes the largest retailer in the UK upholstery market

1993 - 2004

DFS adds 46 stores to its portfolio, growing TV region by TV region, and continues to expand and diversify its sources of supply of upholstered furniture

1993

DFS Furniture Company plc is floated on the London Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation of c. £270million, trading from 21 stores

1983

Northern Upholstery acquires the assets of DFS Furniture Limited and DFS continues to expand its store footprint and acquire additional manufacturing facilities

1969 - 1973

Northern Upholstery acquires additional manufacturing facilities around Doncaster

1969

The DFS business is founded by Graham Kirkham with a single store near Doncaster, UK, trading as Northern Upholstery