Car accessories and bikes retailer Halfords has bolstered its pole market position, revealing a total sales rise of 1.7 per cent, writes Nicola Harrison.

The retailer said the increase, for the 13 weeks to June 27, was driven by car maintenance.

Adjusting for the timing of Easter this year, total sales rose 3 per cent and like-for-likes climbed 0.2 per cent. Excluding Easter, comparable store sales fell 1.1 per cent.

Halfords plans to relaunch its web site this autumn. New functions include an improved product offer, better imagery and a customer advice tool.

By the end of the financial year, Halfords will have six stores in the Czech Republic, with one opening in Wroclaw, Poland, by the end of this year. Citi analyst Richard Edwards said: “With moderate competition, an innovative management team and new technology drivers, it will sustain high returns, even if the environment becomes more challenging.”

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