4th Oct 2007 07:01
Halfords Group PLC04 October 2007 Halfords Group plc ("Halfords") Pre Close Trading Update 4 October 2007 Halfords, the UK's leading auto, leisure and cycling products retailer todayissues the following trading update for the 26 weeks to 28 September 2007. Sales for the 26 weeks to 28 September 2007 increased by 8.5% over theequivalent period in 2006 and like-for-like sales increased by 5.5%. Gross profit percentage remains in line with expectation, reflecting balancedsales growth across all core categories and ongoing sourcing benefits. Ian McLeod, Chief Executive, said: "Our sales and service strategy, particularly in cycling and camping, hasdelivered an improvement in like-for-like sales growth against strongcomparatives last year. This result continues to demonstrate both Halfords'resilience and its defensive qualities, underpinning our confidence for thesecond half." Interim Results Halfords will announce its interim results for the 26 weeks ended 28 September2007 on Thursday, 22 November 2007. A presentation for analysts and investorswill be held at 9.30 a.m. at the City Presentation Centre, 4 Chiswell Street,London, EC1Y 4UP. For further information: Media College HillAndy Cornelius 0207 457 2822Duncan Murray 0207 457 2823 Analysts Halfords Group plcTony Newbould, Investor Relations 07753 809522 Notes to Editors: Halfords Group plc www.halfords.co.ukwww.halfordscompany.co.uk Established in 1892 as F.W. Rushbrooke and subsequently renamed Halfords in1907, the Company was floated on the London Stock Exchange in June 2004. TheGroup employs in excess of 10,500 staff and sells 11,000 different productlines, ranging from car parts and cycles through to the latest in-cartechnology, alloy wheels, child seats, roof boxes and outdoor leisure andcamping equipment. Halfords' own brands include Ripspeed, for car enhancement,Bikehut, for cycles and cycling accessories, including the Apollo and Carrerabrands and Urban Escape for its premium range of camping equipment. Operatingfrom 433 stores, including one store in the Czech Republic, 17 smaller format,neighbourhood, stores and two standalone Bikehuts (located in Brighton andPutney), Halfords offers a "we fit" service for car parts, child seats,satellite navigation and in-car entertainment systems, and a "we repair" servicefor cycles. Halfords announced on 8 June 2006 its intention to buy back £50m of its ownshares over a two-year period. Since announcing its share buy-back programmeHalfords has purchased 12,550,956 of its own shares for an aggregateconsideration of £43,469,095 at an average share price of 346.3 pence. ENDS This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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