Like-for-likes up 12%
United Carpets posted solid growth for the year to March 31, with network sales up 11.7 per cent to£54.27 million.

Like-for-like sales for the period rose 11.7 per cent, helping pre-tax profits climb 23.6 per cent to£1.43 million.

Trading has continued strongly in the 15 weeks since the end of the year, with like-for-likes up 20.9 per cent, but this is against weak comparatives, with shoppers staying at home to watch football during last year's World Cup instead of shopping.

Chief executive Paul Eyre said: 'This year has been a period of consolidation. We have focused on consistent, improved quality of customer service, an increase in our product range, innovative new sales strategies and the introduction of a number of franchisees to the existing and new stores within the coming year, while maintaining the same high level of service in our existing operations.'

There are 61 stores under the United Carpets brand, of which the majority are franchise stores. United Carpets said that it would continue to roll out corporate stores and its franchise concept into new markets across Northern and Central England.