8th Aug 2006 07:01
Carpetright PLC08 August 2006 8 August 2006 Carpetright plc First Quarter Trading Statement Carpetright plc, Europe's leading specialist carpet and floor coveringsretailer, today announces its first quarter trading update, which covers thefirst 13 weeks of the financial year ending 28 April 2007. The UK and Republic of Ireland business has recorded a total sales increase of4.3% with like for like sales down by 0.3%. The Rest of Europe has recorded atotal sales increase of 9.1% with like for like sales up by 3.9%. Within the UK and Republic of Ireland we have opened 39 stores and closed threetaking the total number of stores to 476 including 57 concessions.Additionally, we have opened one store in The Netherlands taking the Group totalto 575 stores. Lord Harris of Peckham, Chairman and Chief Executive, said: "Sales were strong in May but June and July were adversely affected by theunseasonably hot weather across the UK and Europe. August has startedencouragingly." "We continue to expand our store base and have improved gross margins.Additionally, we are starting to see a softening in rental cost inflation forthe first time in many years." The next update on trading will be provided on 24 October 2006 with a pre-closestatement. The first half closes on 28 October 2006. For further enquiries please contact: Carpetright plcIan Kenyon, Group Finance Director 01708 525522 Citigate Dewe RogersonSara Batchelor / Fiona Mulcahy 020 7638 9571 Carpetright plc First Quarter Trading Statement Store Base 29 July 2006 29 April 2006 30 July 2005UK & RoI Large 362 354 347 Small 57 46 31 Concessions 57 40 33 476 440 411Rest of Europe Belgium 28 28 29 The Netherlands 69 68 63 Poland 2 2 - 99 98 92Group Total 575 538 503 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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