AGM Statement
12 Agosto 2003 - 6:00AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:5727O
Carpetright PLC
12 August 2003
12 August 2003
Carpetright plc
AGM Statement
At today's Annual General Meeting Lord Harris, the Chairman and Chief Executive
will make the following comments to shareholders about trading for the
comparable first 14 weeks of the financial year to 1 May 2004.
"Total Group trading for the first 14 weeks of the financial year is in line
with our expectations"
"For our UK business total sales for the first 14 weeks of the year to 9 August
2003 have increased by 0.7% with like for like sales level for the same period.
Gross margin has continued to show good improvement on last year with growth
levels in line with the update on current trading provided at our preliminary
results. Additionally we are making good progress with our variable cost
reduction programme which continues to deliver the savings we anticipated."
"In the Benelux, we continue to make good progress and remain on track towards
achieving our medium term objectives for the business. During July we have seen
some improvement in the sales trend for both Belgium and Holland and continue to
benefit from the improved gross margin and tighter costs from the actions taken
last year."
"Despite a difficult trading environment for floor coverings in the UK, Belgium
and Holland the Group continues to grow market share"
We will provide a further update on August and September trading on 7 October
2003. The first half closes on 1 November 2003.
For further enquiries please contact
Carpetright plc
Darren Shapland, Finance Director 01708-527732
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Sara Batchelor 020 7638 9571
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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