Rainham, England, October 27--Floor coverings retailer Carpetright yesterday reported a near 9 per cent leap in first-half sales and said it would soon be opening in Debenhams stores.
The pace of growth has slowed slightly of late against the first 14 weeks of the first half and finance director Darren Shapland admitted customers were spending a little less.
"People are more careful when they spend - they are looking for more bargains, " he said.
However, the group, which started in the late-Eighties as a single store in Barking, Essex, continues to grab market share.
"UK business has continued to make good progress, " said chairman and chief executive Lord Harris of Peckham. "We continue to grow market share and improve profits compared with last year."
Carpetright, which operates flooring departments in 38 Allders stores, said it would open a number of concessions in Debenhams outlets during the coming months. It expected to have eight in operation by Christmas.
The group reported solid progress at its shops in Belgium and Luxembourg - and in Holland despite difficult trading conditions there.
