14 Dec 2012 07:00

LAURA ASHLEY HOLDINGS PLC
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Interim Management Statement
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14 December 2012
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Laura Ashley Holdings Plc ("Laura Ashley") announces its Interim Management Statement for the 19 weeks to 8 December 2012.
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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%.
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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.
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We expect gross margin rate to be marginally lower than last year.
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Five stores have been opened this year and three closed.
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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.
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Enquiries:
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Laura Ashley Holdings plc 020 7880 5100
Seán Anglim
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Brunswick 020 7404 5959
Anita Scott
James Olley
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Seymour Pierce 020 7107 8000
Guy Peters Corporate Finance
Richard Redmayne Corporate Broking
Katie Ratner Corporate Broking
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