U.K. Carpet Firms Start Billboard Campaign

London, England, Sept. 2, 2008--U.K. carpet firms are launching a multi-million pound ad campaign after being hit by the housing slump and Britain's love affair with wood flooring.

Manufacturers are fighting back with 2,700 billboards that sing the praises of carpet. Flooring giant Headlam highlighted just how tough life is with its results for the first six months of the year.

Profits grew just 1.7 percent to almost $37.4 million and shares plunged 12 percent after bosses warned the second half of the year would be a lot tougher.

Headlam Group chief executive Tony Brewer said the 'Fun on the Floor' campaign, which will run during the rest of this year and next, is "intended to increase the profile and ultimate sales of carpet to the consumer".

A survey by the CBI last week found all carpet retailers suffered a drop in sales between July 29 and August 13. Gavin George, head of retail at the accountancy firm Ernst & Young, said: "It is not going to get any better for 18 months."