Steady trading at Carpetright
The UK and Republic of Ireland business has recorded a total sales increase of 0.6% with like for like store sales up by 0.2%, compared to 3.8% down in the same period last year.
Sales from net new Carpetright space increased by 2.1 per cent but this was offset by the impact of the closure of the Allders concessions in February and March 2005.Carpetright’s European business has continued to make good progress with total product sales in local currency increasing by 9.2%. In UK and Republic of Ireland 19 stores have opened since the half-year and five have been closed taking the total number of stores to 429 including 27 concessions. Carpetright expects that a further 15 stores will be trading by the year-end. The company said it had also reached an agreement with House of Fraser to provide carpet concessions in 18 stores, with the first store expected to open in May 2006.
In Europe one store was opened and one closed in the period leaving the total at 93 stores.
Lord Harris of Peckham, Chairman and Chief Executive, said ‘We are satisfied with our overall performance. Our new store opening programme
is particularly strong within the UK and Republic of Ireland, and we are well placed to grow sales and market share in 2006. Our European business continues to grow and we are on track to open two stores in Poland before the year-end as previously announced.’
