ALY.L Regulatory News (ALY)

19 Jul 2006 09:41

Ashley (Laura) Hldgs PLC19 July 2006 19 July 2006 LAURA ASHLEY HOLDINGS plc ("the Company") Laura Ashley Holdings plc announced on 12 April 2006 that UK retaillike-for-like sales for the first 10 weeks to 8 April 2006 were up 11.2%. Thispositive sales trend has continued and UK retail like-for-like sales for the 24weeks to 15 July 2006 were up 14.3%. However, it should be noted that thesefigures are against relatively weak comparatives from the same period last year. As a result of UK retail sales and margin rate improvements, together withcontinued cost control across the business, the Company expects a profit beforetax for the 6 months ending 29 July 2006 in the region of £2.5 to £3.0 millioncompared with a loss before tax for the same period last year of £0.2 million. Historically, the profitability of the business has been heavily weightedtowards the second half of the financial year. Going forward, it is difficult topredict the extent to which sales and margins will exceed last year,particularly against much stronger comparative figures from the second half oflast year. Clearly the market remains challenging and competitive. However, theBoard looks forward to a much improved performance for the full year ending 27January 2007. Laura AshleyDavid Cook 020 7880 5100Finance Director/ Company Secretary This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange