Carpetright sales decline as the warm weather deters shoppers

Total UK sales fell 3.3% at Carpetright in the 12 weeks to July 20 as the hot weather combined with tough comparatives last year hit sales.

Total group sales fell 3.5% while its struggling European arm recorded a 10.6% fall in like-for-like sales. Total sales declined 10.9%.

Carpetright said the continued weakness in the Dutch economy was impacting sales.

The retailer’s UK store estate declined by five during the period to 473, of which 202 have now been modernised to its new format.

Carpetright chief executive Darren Shapland said: “We saw solid growth in UK sales during May and June, reflecting the continued progress of our self-help activities.

“During July this positive trend was reversed by the significantly warmer weather, with the decline being compounded by a period of strong, wet weather-assisted comparatives in 2012 during which retail like-for-like grew by 5.3%. Excluding the expected decrease in sales from the wholesale business during the 12-week period, our core retail business would have reported a like-for-like sales decline of 1%.”

He added: “Notwithstanding the tough trading conditions we believe we continue to grow market share in all of our markets and continue to see significant further potential in our planned self-help initiatives.”