Homeware retailer Dunelm's second-quarter sales rise on holiday season demand

(Reuters) - Dunelm Group posted higher second-quarter sales on Thursday and said it expected annual profit to be above market expectations, as customers stocked up on discounted beddings, heaters and home furniture during the Christmas holidays.

The British homeware retailer, which sells furnishings ranging from cushions and bedding to kitchen equipment, said total sales were up 18% for the 13 weeks ended on Dec. 31, to 478 million pounds ($589.28 million) from a year ago.

($1 = 0.8112 pounds)

(Reporting by Radhika Anilkumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich)