United Carpets reports strong half

Sales grew 11.4% for the period hitting just over £14m with like-for-like sales up 2.5%.

The floor specialist, which has 80 stores, said that customers who had delayed purchases now seem more willing to buy. In the 10 weeks since the end of October it has continued to see improving trade with like-for-like sales ahead 6.4%.

United Carpets chief executive Paul Eyre said: “After a relatively slow start to the year, the second quarter over the summer period was very positive resulting in like for like sales up 2.5% for the period, an excellent result given the wider economic uncertainty and strong comparatives.

“Our focus on countering consumer caution by delivering excellent value for money has been effective. Equally pleasing has been the successful conversion of a significant number of corporate stores to franchisees so that today we have 10 corporate stores compared to 23 at the outset of the financial year.”

The retailer added that it had seen a modest uplift in stores trading close to Allied Carpets shops which closed in August. 142 Allied Carpets stores were shut after it fell into administration in July.