Carpetright enjoys strong Christmas trading
Carpetright has reported strong trading over the festive period with like-for-like sales in the UK up 6% in the four weeks to 23 January.
The results mean that sales in the twelve weeks to 23 January rose by 2.4% on a like-for-like basis. Total sales declined by 1.3%.
In local currency terms, like-for-like sales in Carpetright’s Rest of Europe business, which includes the Netherlands, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland, increased by 4.2% in the 12 week period. Total sales edged up 4.4% but after the impact of currency movements this translated to a 2.7% fall.
Carpetright chief executive Wilf Walsh said: “In the UK, we delivered our ninth consecutive quarter of like-for-like sales growth. While we saw some softening of like-for-likes in the pre-Christmas period, reflecting lower footfall, customer numbers recovered in the important January sale period.
“Our trading performance over the last four weeks, with like-for-like growth of 6% against exceptionally strong prior year comparatives, gives us confidence that the enhanced interest free credit offer and strong promotions launched on Boxing Day are hitting the spot with our customers.
“Like-for-like sales growth in our Rest of Europe business was better than expected as consumer spending continued to recover, particularly in the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland.”