• UK like-for-likes up 1.9% in third quarter
  • Profit expectations maintained
  • 120 stores now revamped

Carpetright has reported a return to quarterly sales growth in the UK and said its turnaround strategy is on track.

Carpetright boss Wilf Walsh was pleased by a return to quarterly sales growth

Wilf Walsh

Carpetright boss Wilf Walsh

The retailer generated a UK like-for-like sales advance of 1.9% in its third quarter to January 28, and a 6.8% uplift in the four weeks to the same date.

Like-for-like sales at Carptright’s international division, comprising the Netherlands, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland, rose 5.4% in local currency.

Carpetright chief executive Wilf Walsh sad the retailer is now trading from 120 revamped branches – it has 427 altogether in the UK – which achieved sales growth “above comparable stores in the rest of the estate”.

There will be 150 such stores by the end of April.

Walsh said: “Our trading performance over the last four weeks gives us confidence that our turnaround strategy is on track. 

“The refurbished stores with our new brand identity continue to outperform the un-invested estate and we are confident of hitting our target of 150 stores by the financial year-end. 

“Like-for-like sales growth in [Europe] was better than expected as consumer spending continued to recover in the Netherlands.

“Whilst the outlook for the UK consumer remains uncertain, we remain confident in our plan and are comfortable with the current range of market expectations.”

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