Carpet retailer achieves ‘pleasing’ 3.2% like-for-like sales increase

United Carpets Group has seen annual like for like sales increase by 3.2%, while its profit and turnover remained steady.  

Publishing its annual results to 31 March, the chief executive of the Mexborough-headquartered firm, Paul Eyre, said: “In the context of today’s retail market, achieving a 3.2% like for like sales increase was a pleasing performance.”

The listed company said its revenue increased by 2.5% to £21.72m, up from £21.19m in 2017; and pre-tax profit stood at £1.52m, down from £1.53m.

During the year, store numbers increased from 57 to 58. However, the firm said that like for like sales since the period end wee down 1.6%.

Eyre added of the results: “It reflects strong product ranges at attractive price points and a high level of personal commitment from our franchisees to their individual stores, displaying substantial resilience when market conditions become more challenging.

“While the adverse impact of the recent exceptional weather and the World Cup is unsurprising, the resilience of the franchise network represents a key point of differentiation for United Carpets and one that continues to be important in the current market environment.”