CPR.L Regulatory News (CPR)

5 Feb 2008 07:00

Carpetright PLC05 February 2008 Carpetright plc Interim Management Statement Carpetright plc, Europe's leading specialist carpet and floor coverings retailerwith over 650 stores, today publishes an Interim Management Statement coveringthe 13 weeks of 28 October 2007 to 26 January 2008. This represents the thirdquarter of the 53 week period ending on 3 May 2008. Group sales have increased by 4.8%. In the UK and Republic of Ireland totalsales increased by 3.9% and like-for-like sales declined by 4.0%. Trading inBelgium and The Netherlands, where total sales increased by 10.2%, has beenstronger than in the UK with like-for-like sales increasing by 3.1%. In Poland,there are now a total of 10 stores trading and like-for-like sales increased by16.0%. The gross margin has continued to increase across the Group. The transfer to the new UK national distribution centre at Purfleet isproceeding to plan with all the central support functions now relocated. Thephased transfer of carpet cutting and distribution into the new centre hasstarted and it is expected that the centre will be fully operational by the endof April 2008. We confirm that there has been no significant change in the financial positionof the Group since the interim results in December 2007. Lord Harris of Peckham, Chairman and Chief Executive, said: "The third quarter started strongly but there has subsequently been a slowdown.In an increasingly challenging environment sales growth will be harder to comeby, but I am confident that our businesses are well positioned in their marketsand I expect our full year outturn to be in line with expectations." The Group will report its pre-close trading update for the second half on 29April 2008. Analyst Conference Call Lord Harris will host a conference call for analysts at 08.15am this morning.The dial-in number is +44 (0)1452 552018 and the PIN number is 34014432. For further enquiries please contact: Carpetright plc 01708 802000Lord Harris of Peckham, Chairman & Chief ExecutiveIan Kenyon, Group Finance Director Citigate Dewe Rogerson 020 7638 9571Kevin Smith / Fiona Mulcahy 5 February 2008 Carpetright plc Interim Management Statement 2007/2008 2006/2007Store Base - Numbers 26 January 2008 27 October 28 April 28 October 2007 2007 2006UK & RoI Carpetright 445 445 439 431 Concessions 63 66 73 63 Storeys 35 35 - - 543 546 512 494Rest of Europe Belgium 28 28 28 28 The Netherlands 77 76 75 70 Poland 10 8 6 3 115 112 109 101Group Total 658 658 621 595 2007/2008 2006/2007Store Space (knsf) 26 January 2008 27 October 28 April 28 October 2007 2007 2006UK & RoI Carpetright 3,863 3,888 3,930 3,911 Concessions 127 139 154 146 Storeys 368 370 - - 4,358 4,397 4,084 4,057Rest of Europe Belgium 335 337 347 347 The Netherlands 895 888 903 854 Poland 104 83 63 35 1,334 1,308 1,313 1,236 Group Total 5,692 5,705 5,397 5,293 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange