Carpetright like-for-likes edge up despite ‘volatile’ trading conditions
Carpetright has seen its like for-like UK sales edge up 0.8% in the 25 weeks to 21 October as reduced bed sales were offset by a 2.1% uplift within the flooring category.
In the retailer’s Rest of Europe business, which includes the Netherlands, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland, like-for-like sales increased by 6.3% in local currency terms.
The results mean that group sales were up 1.8% in the period although there was a 0.6% decline in total UK sales.
Wilf Walsh, Carpetright chief executive, said: “While trading conditions in the UK remained volatile over the first half, the 2.1% increase in like-for-like sales in our core flooring category is pleasing given the increased level of competition. Total UK like-for-like sales in the period were impacted in the short term by our decision to accelerate the re-ranging activity in our beds business.”
During the period, some 21 stores were converted to Carpetright’s new brand identity which means that more than half the store estate is now refurbished. The company said stores trading under its new brand identity are continuing to deliver sales growth above comparable stores in the rest of the estate.
Looking ahead, Walsh said: “Whilst we expect the group first half profit to be below that of the prior year, we are pleased with the improvement in sales in the Rest of Europe and beds in the UK over the past few weeks. When these are combined with continued progress in our core flooring category we expect a significantly stronger second half with full year profit within the current range of market expectations.”
