14th Dec 2006 14:53
Travis Perkins PLC14 December 2006 14 December 2006 TRAVIS PERKINS PLC Trading Update Travis Perkins is today providing an update on the Group's trading: Overall trading in the first five months of the second half year has been inline with our expectations with the gradually improving trend continuing in both merchant and retail markets. Eleven months to Five months to end November 2006 end November 2006 % %Like for like turnover per trading day General Merchanting 1.5 4.0 Specialist Merchanting 4.2 6.9 ----- ----- Total Merchanting 2.5 5.1 ----- ----- Retailing - Core (4.2) 0.4 - Showroom 0.1 3.9 ----- ----- Total Retail (3.5) 0.9 ----- ----- In addition to good like for like performance, our merchanting division hasenjoyed improved purchasing terms and has maintained tight cost controls. All of our general merchanting businesses reported positive like for like salesin the second half with particularly good growth in the South East. This wascomplemented by good sales in our specialist merchanting business, driven by thecontinued turnaround in our Plumbing & Heating business and further growth inour Drylining Ceilings and Insulation business. In retailing, we have gained both overall and like for like market share basedon a continually improving product offering, store expansion and, relative tolast year, a change in competitors' promotional strategies. Whilst we have experienced good sales and margin performance and productivityhas continued to increase, cost pressures - notably property related costs -have increased in the second half. Overall, the Board's expectations for the outcome for 2007 remain unchanged. The results for the year to 31 December 2006 will be announced on Tuesday 6March 2007. - ENDS - Enquiries Geoff Cooper, Chief Executive +44 (0)1604 683 221Paul Hampden Smith, Finance DirectorTravis Perkins plc David Bick/Mike Feltham +44 (0)20 7929 5599Holborn Public Relations Limited This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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