RETAIL group Carpetright says remained depressed after deep discounts on its floor coverings failed to wake UK consumers from their slumber.

Carpetright said like-for-like sales in the UK and Ireland were 6.7 per cent lower than a year ago during the 25 weeks to April 29.

Promotional offers over the summer included knocking a third off the prices of carpet rolls at its 382 stores. The group also decided that its Madness sales should include an extra 20 per cent discount on products already being sold at half-price.

But rather than driving a significant uplift in sales, these offers ate into profitability and Carpetright said gross margins in the financial year so far were lower than a year ago.

Finance director Ian Kenyon said the warm weather in October had also hurt sales as customers often decide to buy and fit a carpet when they turn their heating on.

This was affecting orders and there was little optimism in the retailer sector that the market for floor coverings would turn the corner any time soon.