Premium home fragrance retailer Dusk Group’s sales were impacted by store closures in the first half however loyalty program members are actively shopping online.

For the year to July 3, sales fell 6.9 per cent to $138.4 million while like-for-like sales dropped 10.5 per cent. 

Online sales were up 2.9 per cent registering $11.6 million and now accounting for 8.3 per cent of all sales. Active membership in the brand’s loyalty program, Dusk Rewards, grew 9.7 per cent to 755,000 members.

Peter King, Dusk’s CEO and MD, said that while the company acknowledges the more challenging macroeconomic environment that is now emerging, it is seeing customers respond well to its offer, especially new products. 

“Our experience is that strong execution and offering new and ‘on point’ products can ‘trump’ economic conditions, and we are seeing this hold true in the current environment.“ 

Dusk lost 24 per cent of its trading days to government-mandated store closures during the first half of last year.

However, the retailer plans to open five new stores in Australia before Christmas and three stores and a website in New Zealand by the end of next month.