CPR Carpetright Plc

RNS Number:0976T
Carpetright PLC
25 October 2005



25th October 2005


                                Carpetright plc
                     Pre first half close trading statement


Carpetright plc, Europe's leading specialist carpet and floor coverings
retailer, today announces its first half pre-close trading update for the first
25 weeks of the financial year ending 29 April 2006.


Trading in Carpetright's UK and Republic of Ireland business has remained
difficult in the current weak consumer environment, although the Group believes
it continues to make significant improvements in market share.  Total sales for
the 25 weeks to 22 October 2005 declined by 6.2% with like for like sales down
by 6.7%.  Net new Carpetright space increased by 2.4% but the sales growth from
this space was offset by 1.9% lower sales from the concessions business as our
comparatives continue to be impacted by the loss of the Allders concessions.


Carpetright's European business continues to make good progress with total
product sales in local currency increasing by 7.1% and a continued improvement
in market share.


There has seen a modest decline in UK gross margin in the first 25 weeks as the
Group sought to optimise sales and returns through more aggressive promotional
activity.  The Group has reviewed the effectiveness of these actions and remains
confident, following a number of changes, that there will be an improvement in
full year gross margins as previously indicated.


Within the UK and Republic of Ireland 26 stores have opened, including five
concessions, and 15 have been closed.  The business now operates from 382 stores
as well as 32 concessions.  In Europe four new stores have opened taking the
total to 93 stores and a further three stores will open in Holland in the second
half.


Lord Harris of Peckham, Chairman and Chief Executive, said:


"The UK business has continued to trade aggressively in a tough retail
environment.  The comparatives for the second half are weaker than those in the
first half but it is still too soon to predict a turn in the market.  The Group
continues to invest in new stores and its underlying infrastructure, both in the
UK and Europe, and plans to open two stores in Poland in the second half.  The
Group is well positioned to grow sales and profits once the market improves."


The Group's interim results for the six months to 29 October 2005 will be
presented on 13 December 2005.  These will be presented under IFRS and the prior
year comparatives will be published in IFRS format before the end of November
2005.



For further enquiries please contact:


Carpetright plc
Ian Kenyon, Group Finance Director 01708 525522


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






                      This information is provided by RNS
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