CPR Carpetright Plc

RNS Number:4980L
Carpetright PLC
26 April 2005

26 April 2005

                                Carpetright plc
                            Pre Close Trading Update


Carpetright plc, Europe's leading specialist carpet and floor coverings
retailer, today announces its pre close trading update for the second half. This
covers the trading period from 31 October 2004 to 23 April 2005 and represents
the first 25 weeks of the second half of the financial year ending 30 April
2005.

The UK and Republic of Ireland business has recorded a total sales decrease of
3.8% with like for like store sales down by 5.9%. Gross margin has increased by
0.9 percentage points compared to last year.

The store expansion plans continue to make good progress with the business
trading from 375 stores. Of these 31 are in the new small store format and a
total of 17 stores are trading in the Republic of Ireland. Our strategy of
moving from A1 retail sites to bulky goods parks has continued and this will
once again generate additional profits for the Group. We expect the net profit
on the disposal of assets to be around #9m for the year which is inclusive of
the profit on disposal of our freehold property in Croydon as well as the loss
on disposal of the Carpet Express distribution business.

On 26 January 2005 Allders Department Stores Limited was placed into
Administration. The subsequent closure of a number of the Allders stores has
resulted in 21 of the Group's concessions departments being shut down. The Group
now trades from 26 concessions in total, 16 in Debenhams, eight in BHS and two
in the remaining Allders. Whilst this closure has caused some short term trading
disruption, leading to a small shortfall in sales and profits, the move to
stronger trading partners should improve performance going forward.

The Belgium and Netherlands business has recorded total product sales in local
currency down 0.6% compared to last year. Gross margin has increased at a
similar growth rate to that achieved in the first half.

Lord Harris of Peckham, Chairman and Chief Executive said:

"Our UK and Republic of Ireland business has had a difficult half within a
weakening consumer environment and set against strong comparatives last year.
However, we continue to grow margin and our store expansion plans remain on
track. The business has once again generated good profits from the development
of our portfolio of retail sites. Our business in Belgium and Netherlands has
continued to make solid progress. Whilst the trading environment has become more
difficult in recent months we believe that our strong competitive position and
further expansion plans will enable the business to continue to grow market
share."

The Group's full year results for the year to 30 April 2005 will be announced on
28 June 2005. These will be prepared under UK GAAP. It is planned to publish the
restatement of these results under IFRS on 16 August 2005.


For further enquiries please contact

Carpetright plc

Lord Harris of Peckham, Chairman and Chief Executive
Darren Shapland, Group Finance Director                           01708 525522

Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Patrick Toyne-Sewell/Sara Batchelor                               020 7638 9571


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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