Trading Update

Halfords Group PLC
05 October 2006







Halfords Group plc ('Halfords')



Trading Update



5 October 2006



Halfords, the UK's leading auto, leisure and cycling products retailer today
issues the following trading update for the 26 weeks to 29 September 2006, in
advance of publishing interim results on Thursday, 23 November 2006.



Sales for the 26 weeks to 29 September 2006 increased by 9.3% over the
equivalent period in 2005 and like-for-like sales increased by 6.5%1.



As well as maintaining its focus on growing sales, Halfords has continued to
deliver further significant reduction in the level of gross profit percentage
dilution experienced last year.



Ian McLeod, Chief Executive, said:



'Halfords' sales and service strategy has continued to deliver like-for-like
sales growth in each of its key categories.  We remain confident in the
resilience of our business as demonstrated by these results, giving us
encouragement for our prospects in the second half.'



Notes





 1. Adjusting for the Easter period, underlying like-for-like sales growth is
    5.0%.
 2. Since announcing its share buy-back programme on the 8 June 2006, Halfords
    has purchased 5,183,956 of its own shares for cancellation at a
    consideration, before costs, of £15,935,149, an average of 307.4 pence per
    share.





Interim Results



Halfords will announce its interim results for the 26 weeks ended 29 September
2006 on Thursday, 23 November 2006.  A presentation for analysts and investors
will be held at 9.30 a.m. at the City Presentation Centre, 4 Chiswell Street,
London, EC1Y 4UP.


For further information:



Media



Gainsborough Communications
Andy Cornelius                                                 020 7190 1703
Julian Walker                                                  020 7190 1705



Analysts



Halfords Group plc
Ian McLeod, Chief Executive
Nick Carter, Finance Director
Tony Newbould, Investor Relations                              01527 513113
                                                               07753 809522





Notes to Editors:



Halfords Group plc



www.halfords.co.uk

www.halfordscompany.co.uk



Halfords is the UK's leading auto, leisure and cycling products retailer, with
420 stores and 10,000 employees. It was established in 1892 and was 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 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, and a 'We'll
repair it' service for cycles.





ENDS




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange