Carpetright sales suffer as enthusiasm for DIY wilts in summer heatwave

With consumers less likely to tackle DIY projects in the hot weather, Carpetright said underlying sales were down 1.9 per cent in the UK in the 12 weeks to July 20, despite growth in May and June.

Analysts at N+1 Singer estimate Carpetright suffered a like-for-like revenues fall of eight per cent during July at a sales cost to the business of about £3.5m.

As well as the warm weather, Carpetright said the sales decline was compounded by comparisons with wet conditions a year earlier.

Carpetright has recently benefited from improvements in the property market, which should boost demand for carpets, rugs and flooring, and its own self-help measures such as store refits and new ranges.

A month ago, Carpetright cheered investors after it said underlying annual profits more than doubled to £9.7m for the year to April.

The chain has 473 stores in the UK, as well as 142 outlets in Ireland, Netherlands and Belgium. Sales for the rest of Europe were down 10.9 per cent for the 12 weeks, in part due to difficult economic conditions in Holland.

The company is led by chief executive Darren Shapland, who took over from veteran boss Lord Harris of Peckham last year.

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