Oz helps Victoria in Q1, but carpet firm struggles badly in Ireland
Jul 29, 2010Sales in Ireland dropped by 28.8% for major carpet producer Victoria Carpets in the 13 weeks to 3rd July, but a flat performance in the UK and healthy growth in Australia helped the company to an overall double-digit sales climb during the period.
Irish sales were low because of weak consumer confidence and Government spending cuts, with Victoria restructuring the division in May in order to stem further losses, it said at its AGM.
UK sales rose by 1.1% on a like for like basis, but the company said this was against soft comparatives and that it expected trade to be difficult in the next quarter.
Sales in Australia by contrast, increased by 9.8%, although Victoria said the retail situation in the market remained mixed. Overall group sales were up by 11.2% against last year.