Halfords Group PLC
13 July 2005
Halfords Group plc
13 July 2005
Halfords Group plc ('Halfords') - AGM Statement and business update
At the Halfords Group plc Annual General Meeting to be held at 11.30am this
morning, the Chairman, Rob Templeman, will give the following update on current
trading:
'In spite of a more challenging retail climate, we are encouraged by Halfords'
continued positive sales growth. Total sales growth for the first 13 weeks
to 1 July increased by 1.5%. Easter is an important trading period for the
company and allowing for the lack of an Easter in the first two weeks of the
current year, like for like sales in the subsequent 11 weeks to 1 July increased
by 2.7%.'
Separately, Halfords also announces today that it has entered into a
collaboration relationship with Japan's leading car parts and accessories
retailer, Autobacs Seven Co. Ltd. (Autobacs). The relationship will allow for
shared development and learning across common product ranges and may result in
combined sourcing activity.
Notes: -
Halfords
Halfords is the UK's leading auto, leisure and cycling products retailer, with
398 stores and nearly 10,000 employees. It was established in 1892 and was
successfully floated on the London Stock Exchange in June 2004. The Group sells
11,000 different product lines, ranging from car parts and cycles through to the
latest in-car technology, alloy wheels, child seats, roof boxes and the latest
outdoor leisure and camping equipment. Halfords' own brands include Ripspeed,
for car enhancement, and Bikehut, for cycles and cycling accessories, including
the Apollo and Carrera brands. Stores offer a 'We'll Fit It' service for car
parts, child seats, satellite navigation and in-car entertainment systems,
together with newer concepts such as Kidszone and Active Leisure.
Autobacs
Autobacs first introduced the one-stop shopping concept for automotive goods and
services in Japan in 1974. Since then it has grown steadily and has become the
No.1 retailer in Japan's car parts and accessories market. In the year to March
2004 Autobacs generated sales of 227,077m Yen (£1,157m) from a network of over
500 stores, of which franchise partners operate 357. Each store provides
comprehensive automobile related services, including, in addition to automotive
goods, car statutory safety inspections, maintenance services and automobile
sales.
- ends -
For further information contact :-
Gainsborough Communications 020 7190 1703
Julian Walker
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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