CPR Carpetright Plc

RNS Number:6171B
Carpetright PLC
07 August 2007

                                Carpetright plc

                          Interim Management Statement



Carpetright plc, Europe's leading specialist carpet and floor coverings retailer
with over 650 stores, today publishes its first Interim Management Statement as
required by the FSA's disclosure and transparency rules.  The statement relates
to the first 13 weeks of the new financial year, representing the period 29
April to 28 July 2007.


We are pleased to announce that, during the first 13 weeks, Group sales
(including Storey Carpets Ltd) have increased by 16.7%.  In the UK and Republic
of Ireland total sales have increased by 16.6%.  Carpetright's like-for-like
sales have increased by 2.4% with the gross margin increasing by over 1%.


Trading in Belgium and the Netherlands has also been strong with total sales
increasing by 15.6% and like-for-like sales up 13.4%.  Poland continues to trade
in line with expectations.


On 1 May 2007 the Group acquired Storey Carpets Ltd ("Storeys") for an initial
consideration of #18.5m.  During the period Storeys' sales have been in line
with expectations while gross margin has improved significantly against the
previous year.


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


"The Group has had a solid start to the year and continues to gain market share.
We are particularly pleased with the performance of our European businesses.
Storeys is an excellent acquisition for the Group and we look forward to
continued expansion of the brand in the north of England.  We still expect a
challenging retail environment and will continue to cut costs in the business,
relocate to smaller stores where appropriate and focus on cash generation."


For further enquiries please contact:

Carpetright plc
Ian Kenyon, Group Finance Director                      01708 525522


Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Kevin Smith / Fiona Mulcahy                             020 7638 9571






7 August 2007



                                Carpetright plc
                          Interim Management Statement


                                     2007/2008                       2006/2007

Store Base - Numbers                  28 July               28 April           28 October
                                        2007                  2007                2006
UK & RoI
   Large                                374                    374                 367
   Small                                 66                    65                  64
   Concessions                           72                    73                  63
   Storeys                               31                     -                   -
                                        543                    512                 494

Rest of Europe
   Belgium                               28                    28                  28
   The Netherlands                       75                    75                  70
   Poland                                7                      6                   3
                                        110                    109                 101

Group Total                             653                    621                 595




                                     2007/2008                       2006/2007

Store Space (knsf)                    28 July               28 April           28 October
                                        2007                  2007                2006
UK & RoI
   Large                               3,573                  3,601               3,591
   Small                                334                    329                 320
   Concessions                          155                    154                 146
   Storeys                              345                     -                   -
                                       4,407                  4,084               4,057
Rest of Europe
   Belgium                              347                    347                 347
   The Netherlands                      898                    903                 854
   Poland                                72                    63                  35
                                       1,317                  1,313               1,236
Group Total                            5,724                  5,397               5,293






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