August/September 2026
housewareslive.net
NEWS Harrods returns to profit as turnover nears £1.1billion H
arrods has returned to the black, recording a pre-tax profit of £84.9 million as turnover at the luxury department store approached £1.1 billion.
he retailer’s latest accounts, covering the year to 31 January 2026, show a significant improvement on the pre-tax loss of just over £34 million recorded in the previous year. Turnover increased by 1.2 per cent to almost £1.1 billion despite challenging conditions across the global luxury market. The previous year’s performance was significantly affected by a £62.5 million provision for compensation relating to sexual abuse committed by former owner Mohamed Al Fayed. The provision was recognised in Harrods’ 2024 accounts and was therefore not repeated in the latest results. Operating profit stood at £172.3 million, down from £177.7 million in
the previous year, with the retailer pointing to investment in employee pay and higher distribution costs.
An average 3.2 per cent
pay increase for employees cost the business £8.5 million, while higher employer National Insurance contributions added a further £5.7 million. Geoff Weaver, Chief Financial Officer at Harrods, said the results demonstrated “further stabilisation and modest growth” for the business.
“Despite ongoing headwinds across the global luxury sector, Harrods once again outperformed the broader market,” he said.
Robert Dyas delivers the goods with Deliveroo deal R
obert Dyas has launched on Deliveroo through an exclusive partnership, giving shoppers access to thousands
of homeware, kitchen, electrical and DIY products for on-demand delivery. The move marks Robert Dyas’ first
entry into the on-demand delivery market and covers 90 of its stores across the UK, including locations in London, Bristol, Oxford and Brighton. Around 6,000 products will be available
through the platform, spanning homeware, kitchenware, small appliances, electricals, DIY, garden and household essentials. Shoppers will be able to order everything
from cleaning products, batteries and light bulbs to kitchen products, DIY tools and seasonal lines including
fans, heaters, dehumidifiers and barbecue accessories. The partnership comes as Deliveroo expands beyond its traditional restaurant and grocery offering. Home and kitchen has become one of the platform’s fastest- growing categories, with the number of items sold increasing by almost 25 per cent year on year in 2025. Theo Paphitis, Chairman of Robert Dyas, said the partnership would bring a new level of convenience to the retailer’s customers. “This new partnership with Deliveroo allows us to bring that all-important convenience to customers faster than ever before, giving them access to more than
5,000 trusted products in as little as 10 minutes,” he said.
Almost a third of Brits admit using the same kitchen knife for everything
every food preparation task, according to new research commissioned by Zyliss. The nationwide study of 2,002 UK adults found 30 per cent mostly use one knife for everything in the kitchen, while a further six per cent admitted they do not pay attention to which knife they use. While 60 per cent said they choose different knives depending on the task, the findings suggest there remains an opportunity for housewares retailers and suppliers to educate consumers about the benefits of different knife types. The habit of reaching for the same blade was particularly
A
lmost a third of British home cooks rely on the same kitchen knife for
prevalent among younger consumers, with 35 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds saying they mostly use one knife for everything, compared with 26 per cent of those aged over 65. The research also highlighted a lack of confidence around kitchen
knives among some consumers. Some three per cent said they avoid certain food preparation tasks because they are not confident using knives, rising to nine per cent among 18 to 24-year-olds. Knife maintenance also emerged as an issue, with a quarter of consumers saying they have never sharpened a kitchen knife. Just a third had sharpened one within the previous month. Heidi Thomas, Head of Marketing at DK Household Brands, which includes Zyliss, said: “Most home cooks only need a small set of reliable knives, but knowing what each one is designed to do can make preparation easier and more controlled. “A chef’s knife will handle many everyday jobs, while a serrated
bread knife or smaller paring knife will complete specific tasks more cleanly. It is not about using more equipment; it is about choosing the right blade for the job.”
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