subsidiary Kiddicare for £8.5 million. On 30 August 2017 Dunelm Group plc announced that John Browett was stepping down with immediate effect as Chief Executive after two years in the role. In September 2020, the company reported a large surge in sales for the months of July and August. The increased sales were a result of the increase in remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic and investing in their living spaces. In November 2020, the company was criticised by shareholders for renominating Paula Vennells to its board, despite her responsibility for the Post Office subpostmasters' scandal, during which her leadership was accused of having been "both cruel and incompetent" by a Conservative peer and various MPs. Her resignation from the board was announced on the morning of 26 April 2021 after all the remaining convictions of subpostmasters had been quashed. Operations As of 30 June 2020 Dunelm operated 173 stores, spread across the UK, and a webstore. References External links Dunelm website Dorma website Kiddicare website Arts and crafts retailers Companies based in Leicestershire Retail companies of the United Kingdom Retail companies established in 1979 Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange 1979 establishments in England 1979 establishments in the United Kingdom Companies established in 1979