CPR Carpetright Plc

RNS Number:9153B
Carpetright PLC
25 April 2006


                                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 of
the financial year ending 29 April 2006.  This covers the period from 30 October
2005 to 22 April 2006.

The UK and Republic of Ireland business has recorded a total sales increase in
the period of 3.7%, with like for like store sales up by 1.9%, compared to a
decrease of 5.4% in the same period last year.  Sales from net new space
contributed growth of 3.6% although this was offset by the impact of the closure
of the Allders concessions in February and March 2005.  Gross margin has
improved in line with our expectations and is expected to be up by at least 0.6%
for the full year.

Within the UK and Republic of Ireland 37 stores have opened since the end of
October and 15 have been closed, including seven of the BHS concessions, taking
the total number of stores to 437 including 36 concessions.  As previously
announced, we have reached an agreement with House of Fraser to provide carpet
concessions in 19 stores, and the first of these opened in April 2006.

Carpetright's European business continues to make good progress with total
product sales in local currency increasing by 12.8%.

In Europe five stores opened, including Carpetright's first Polish store in
Gdansk, and one closed in the period leaving the total at 97 stores.
Carpetright will open its second Polish store, in Warsaw, this week.

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

"We are pleased with our current performance and have finished the year with a
period of more positive trading.  Our new store opening programme is strong,
both within the UK and Europe, while our expansion into Poland is particularly
exciting.  Whilst our markets remain challenging, we remain focused on
delivering our outstanding combination of product, price and service to all our
customers."

The Group will report its full year results for the year to 29 April 2006 on 27
June 2006.


For further enquiries please contact:

Carpetright plc
Ian Kenyon, Group Finance Director                             Tel: 01708 525522

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


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