13th Jul 2005 07:00
Halfords Group PLC13 July 2005 Halfords Group plc13 July 2005 Halfords Group plc ("Halfords") - AGM Statement and business update At the Halfords Group plc Annual General Meeting to be held at 11.30am thismorning, the Chairman, Rob Templeman, will give the following update on currenttrading: "In spite of a more challenging retail climate, we are encouraged by Halfords'continued positive sales growth. Total sales growth for the first 13 weeksto 1 July increased by 1.5%. Easter is an important trading period for thecompany and allowing for the lack of an Easter in the first two weeks of thecurrent year, like for like sales in the subsequent 11 weeks to 1 July increasedby 2.7%." Separately, Halfords also announces today that it has entered into acollaboration relationship with Japan's leading car parts and accessoriesretailer, Autobacs Seven Co. Ltd. (Autobacs). The relationship will allow forshared development and learning across common product ranges and may result incombined sourcing activity. Notes: - HalfordsHalfords is the UK's leading auto, leisure and cycling products retailer, with398 stores and nearly 10,000 employees. It was established in 1892 and wassuccessfully floated on the London Stock Exchange in June 2004. The Group sells11,000 different product lines, ranging from car parts and cycles through to thelatest in-car technology, alloy wheels, child seats, roof boxes and the latestoutdoor leisure and camping equipment. Halfords' own brands include Ripspeed,for car enhancement, and Bikehut, for cycles and cycling accessories, includingthe Apollo and Carrera brands. Stores offer a "We'll Fit It" service for carparts, child seats, satellite navigation and in-car entertainment systems,together with newer concepts such as Kidszone and Active Leisure. AutobacsAutobacs first introduced the one-stop shopping concept for automotive goods andservices in Japan in 1974. Since then it has grown steadily and has become theNo.1 retailer in Japan's car parts and accessories market. In the year to March2004 Autobacs generated sales of 227,077m Yen (£1,157m) from a network of over500 stores, of which franchise partners operate 357. Each store providescomprehensive automobile related services, including, in addition to automotivegoods, car statutory safety inspections, maintenance services and automobilesales. - ends - For further information contact :- Gainsborough Communications 020 7190 1703Julian Walker This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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