Carpetright like-for-like sales up 3.2% in UK
Flooring and carpet retailer Carpetright enjoyed a 3.2% increase in UK like-for-like sales in its third quarter as the company developed its bed business and continued its programme of store refurbishments.
In the 13 weeks to 26 January 2013, total sales in the UK grew by 1.6% although in the Rest of Europe, which includes the Netherlands, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland, total sales fell by 11.2%, declining by 11.5% on a like-for-like basis.
The company explained that a solid performance in Belgium and the Republic of Ireland had been offset by a weaker performance in the Netherlands.
Carpetright chief executive Darren Shapland said: “We are pleased to report a period of good like-for-like sales growth in the UK of 3.2%. Excluding the expected contraction in sales from the wholesale business, our core UK retail business would have reported like-for-like sales growth of 4.7% for the period.
Never Miss a Retail Update!“We believe this performance reflects the success of our programme of self-help initiatives, including the development of our bed business, introduction of our laminate range to more stores and the ongoing programme of store refurbishments, all of which gained momentum in the period.”
Carpetright reduced it store base by four during the period taking the total number of stores to 476, of which 122 have been modernised.
Shapland added: “The group result for the year to date is in line with management’s expectations and whilst trading conditions remain challenging, we have good momentum in our self-help initiatives. That said, as ever, our performance in the final quarter will be critical to the outcome for the year as a whole.”
