Carpetright returns to quarterly sales growth in UK
Carpetright has reported a return to sales growth in the UK in its third quarter.
UK like-for-like sales in the 13 weeks to 28 January increased by 1.9%, while in the four weeks to 28 January sales were up 6.8%.
Wilf Walsh, Carpetright chief executive, said: “We are pleased to announce a return to quarterly like-for-like sales growth in the UK. Our trading performance over the last four weeks, with like-for-like growth of 6.8%, gives us confidence that our turnaround strategy is on track.”
The company said 120 stores are now trading under Carpetright’s new brand identity.
Walsh added: “The refurbished stores with our new brand identity continue to outperform the un-invested estate and we are confident of hitting our target of 150 stores – representing over one third of the UK estate by the financial year-end.”
In local currency terms, sales in the company’s Rest of Europe business, which includes the Netherlands, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland, increased by 5.4%. This translates to a rise of 22.4% in reported currency.
Walsh said: “Like-for-like sales growth in our Rest of Europe business was better than expected as consumer spending continued to recover in the Netherlands.
“Whilst the outlook for the UK consumer remains uncertain, we remain confident in our plan and are comfortable with the current range of market expectations.”
