Carpetright has seen its like for like UK sales edge up 0.8% in the 25 weeks to October 21st 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 rose by 6.3% in local currency terms.
The results mean that group sales rose by 1.8% in the period however, there was a 0.6% decline in total UK sales.
Carpetright chief executive, Wilf Walsh 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.”
Looking ahead, Mr 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.”
