London, England, Dec. 17--Britain's biggest floorcovering retailer, Carpetright Plc posted a 15.7% rise in first half profit and reported slowing same store sales growth at the start of the second half.
The company, which sells carpets, vinyl and laminate floors from 349 stores across Britain and Ireland, said profit before tax rose to 25.8 million pounds ($41 million) in the first half ended November 2. Analysts' forecasts had ranged from 25 to 28 million pounds.
Sales rose 5.1% during the first half, but had slowed at the start of the second half, up just 1.5% in the first six weeks from the same period a year ago.
