UK sales up 12 per cent
Topps Tiles revealed total revenue up 12.6 per cent for the 14 weeks to January 6 - up from 0.7 per cent at the close of the last financial year - despite persistently tough trading conditions.

The tile and wood flooring retailer's like-for-like sales rose by 4.7 per cent, compared with a decrease of 5 per cent in 2006.

In the UK, sales rose 11.8 per cent, compared with 0.1 per cent in 2006, and like-for-like sales increased 4.3 per cent compared with a slide of 5.5 per cent in 2006.

In Holland, overall revenue climbed 41.5 per cent, with like-for-likes up 19.6 per cent.

In the first seven weeks of trading this financial year, total revenues grew 10.3 per cent and like-for-likes rose 3.3 per cent.

The company said its UK store roll-out programme will continue, with a target of 30 new stores in this financial year. So far, the retailer has opened seven stores.

Topps Tiles co-founder and chairman Barry Bester said: 'Topps has consolidated its market-leading position and with the UK tile market forecast to increase in volume by more than 15 per cent by 2011, we remain confident that Topps' proven business model and focused management team, with the shared objective of driving the business forward, will continue to deliver sustainable growth for our shareholders.'