Carpetright cuts prices in move to stem fall in British and Irish sales

CARPETRIGHT, Britain’s biggest floor coverings retailer, said it did not expect an improvement in trading conditions any time soon as it stemmed a fall in British and Irish sales by cutting prices and making a big push into beds and laminates.

“I see no respite from the challenging environment over the next year,” chairman and chief executive Philip Harris said highlighting an overall British carpet market down 15-20% year-on-year.

The firm, which has issued three profit warnings this year, said sales at British stores open over a year fell 0.2% in the 12 weeks to July 23, the bulk of its fiscal first quarter.