CPR Carpetright Plc

RNS Number:3649H
Carpetright PLC
08 August 2006


8 August 2006


                                Carpetright plc
                        First Quarter Trading Statement


Carpetright plc, Europe's leading specialist carpet and floor coverings
retailer, today announces its first quarter trading update, which covers the
first 13 weeks of the financial year ending 28 April 2007.

The UK and Republic of Ireland business has recorded a total sales increase of
4.3% with like for like sales down by 0.3%.  The Rest of Europe has recorded a
total sales increase of 9.1% with like for like sales up by 3.9%.

Within the UK and Republic of Ireland we have opened 39 stores and closed three
taking the total number of stores to 476 including 57 concessions.
Additionally, we have opened one store in The Netherlands taking the Group total
to 575 stores.

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

"Sales were strong in May but June and July were adversely affected by the
unseasonably hot weather across the UK and Europe.  August has started
encouragingly."

"We continue to expand our store base and have improved gross margins.
Additionally, we are starting to see a softening in rental cost inflation for
the first time in many years."



The next update on trading will be provided on 24 October 2006 with a pre-close
statement.  The first half closes on 28 October 2006.



For further enquiries please contact:

Carpetright plc
Ian Kenyon, Group Finance Director                                01708 525522

Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Sara Batchelor / Fiona Mulcahy                                    020 7638 9571





                                Carpetright plc
                        First Quarter Trading Statement


Store Base                                29 July 2006         29 April 2006          30 July 2005
UK & RoI
   Large                                       362                  354                    347
   Small                                       57                   46                     31
   Concessions                                 57                   40                     33
                                               476                  440                    411
Rest of Europe
   Belgium                                     28                   28                     29
   The Netherlands                             69                   68                     63
   Poland                                       2                    2                      -
                                               99                   98                     92
Group Total                                    575                  538                    503


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

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