Carpetright’s second-quarter UK like-for-likes have inched up despite a “volatile” market, the business has reported.
However, chief executive Wilf Walsh warned that while full-year profits were expected to be in line with predictions, first-half profits would fall below the levels of the previous year.
UK like-for-likes rose 0.8% but total sales fell 0.6% in the 25 weeks to October 21.
Flooring sales rose 2.1% but were offset by reduced bed sales, which the retailer attributed to re-ranging activity.
Total sales across the group rose 1.8% thanks to a better performance in Europe.
Stores in the Republic of Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands delivered like-for-likes of 6.3% and a total sales rise of 7.5% in local currencies. When converted to GBP, total European sales rose 14.4%.
Carpetright said that stores trading under its new branding delivered better sales growth than the rest of its estate, with more than half its estate now converted.
The retailer has opened two stores and closed nine during the year to date, giving it 419 stores in total.
Chief executive Wilf Walsh said: “While trading conditions in the UK remained volatile over the first half, the 2.1% increase in like-for-like sales in our core flooring category is pleasing given the increased level of competition.
“While we expect the group first-half profit to be below that of the prior year, we are pleased with the improvement in sales in the rest of Europe and beds in the UK over the past few weeks.
“When these are combined with continued progress in our core flooring category we expect a significantly stronger second half with full-year profit within the current range of market expectations.”
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