14 Dec 2012 07:00
LAURA ASHLEY HOLDINGS PLC
Interim Management Statement
14 December 2012
Laura Ashley Holdings Plc ("Laura Ashley") announces its Interim Management Statement for the 19 weeks to 8 December 2012.
In the first 19 weeks of the second half to 8 December 2012, total retail sales increased by 4.2% year-on-year, with like-for-like sales increasing by 4.9%.
E-Commerce recorded sales growth of 22.6% in the same reporting period. The introduction of a mobile site that offers the complete range of our products, and increased overseas deliveries, have both been instrumental in this growth.
We expect gross margin rate to be marginally lower than last year.
Five stores have been opened this year and three closed.
There has been no material change to the financial position of Laura Ashley since the announcement of the first half results on 12 September 2012.
Enquiries:
Laura Ashley Holdings plc 020 7880 5100
Seán Anglim
Brunswick 020 7404 5959
Anita Scott
James Olley
Seymour Pierce 020 7107 8000
Guy Peters Corporate Finance
Richard Redmayne Corporate Broking
Katie Ratner Corporate Broking