DIYWEEK.net

Carpetright has announced that sales for the 12 weeks ending April 22, 2017, were up 1.4% like-for-like despite “tougher market conditions experienced across the period.”

The quarter saw the further roll-out of the store refurbishment programme, with 188 stores now trading under the new brand identity. These are delivering sales growth “comparable with stores in the rest of the estate.” Three new stores opened during the quarter, in Liverpool, Leeds and Bath.

Two stores relocated to smaller units and three were closed, bringing the total to 427 trading locations.

Said chief executive Wilf Walsh: “In common with other retailers in the home improvement sector in the UK we have experienced tougher trading conditions over the last three months. Having said that, we are pleased to report continued like-for-like sales growth, with an increase of 1.4% in our fourth quarter.

“Following a further acceleration of the investment programme in the final quarter we have completed 188 store refurbishments - surpassing our target of 150 stores, which represents over 40% of the UK estate. Despite the inevitable disruption factor, the performance of these refurbished stores has been encouraging giving us confidence to continue with the programme.

“Trading in the Rest of Europe was in line with our expectations, underpinned by a continuing recovery in economic confidence, particularly in the Netherlands.

“Whilst we remain confident in our turnaround plan, the level of sales growth in our final quarter leads us to expect that full year profits will be towards the lower end of the current range.”