Carpetright has announced an update on trading for the 12 weeks ended 23rd January 2016.
UK sales for the 12-week period were up 2.4% on a like-for-like basis – and up 6% in the four weeks to 23rd January – yet total sales declined by 1.3%.
Consequently, full-year gross profit expectations for the UK business were revised downwards "to reflect a more promotional marketplace and a greater proportion of beds and smooth flooring in the sales mix".
Four stores were opened and six closed, leaving 436 trading locations.
Wilf Walsh, chief executive, says: “In the UK, we delivered our ninth consecutive quarter of like-for-like sales growth. While we saw some softening of like-for-likes in the pre-Christmas period, reflecting lower footfall, customer numbers recovered in the important January sale period.
"Our trading performance over the last four weeks, with like-for-like growth of 6% against exceptionally strong prior year comparatives, gives us confidence that the enhanced interest free credit offer and strong promotions launched on Boxing Day are hitting the spot with our customers. Like-for-like sales growth in our Rest of Europe business was better than expected as consumer spending continued to recover, particularly in the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland.”
Across the rest of Europe, in local currency terms, like-for-like sales increased by 4.2% year-on-year. Total sales increased by 4.4% – after the impact of currency movements, this translates to a 2.7% decrease in total sales.
