Surprise sales hike lifts Carpetright

5th Aug 2009 07:02

Shares in Carpetright have jumped after the carpet retailer posted a surprise rise in like-for-like sales in UK and Ireland in the 13 weeks to August 1.In the UK and Ireland, total sales climbed by 7.5%, while like-for-like sales were up an 'encouraging' 1.4%.Analysts had been expecting a fall in like-for-like sales, after the 15.3% decline seen during the first quarter.Sales remain sluggish in mainland Europe. In the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland the business continues to make slow progress and while total sales improved by 0.9%, they were 2.8% lower on a like-for-like basis.Carpetright opened 14 stores in the UK and Ireland and closed two in mainland Europe during the period, bringing the number operated in each market to 581 and 126 respectively.'We have continued to perform well in a tough trading environment and the sales achieved in the first quarter have provided an encouraging start to the financial year,' said chief executive Lord Harris of Peckham.