Carpetright sales hit by heatwave

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/jul/23/carpetright-sales-hit-heatwave

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Carpetright has blamed a sharp fall in July sales on the summer heatwave after admitting that a strong performance in May and June had been reversed by soaring temperatures.

The firm's update adds to evidence that while sunny weather has been a fillip to Britain's food and drink vendors and those offering seasonal ranges, it has wreaked havoc on furnishings and out-of-town retailers. Last week John Lewis, Britain's biggest department store group, partly blamed the heatwave for a slump in weekly sales.

Carpetright trades from 473 stores in Britain, about 360 of which are out-of-town. The company, which makes about 80% of its revenue in Britain, said sales at UK stores open over a year fell 1.9% in the 12 weeks to July 20.

The company's chief executive, Darren Shapland, told Reuters like-for-like sales had been up 2-3% in May and June, helped by the firm's efforts to refurbish shops, broaden its carpet ranges into higher price points and expand its beds, laminate floor and luxury vinyl tiles ranges. "During July this positive trend was reversed by the significantly warmer weather," he said. "People spent their time and money a bit more on leisure and on external projects."

But despite the July shortfall Shapland said he was encouraged by recent data indicating a gradual recovery in the UK economy. "The key thing for us and probably a lot of consumer businesses is the relative confidence around the housing market," he said.