Carpetright

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Carpetright plc
Public
Traded as LSECPR
Industry Retail
Founded 1988
Headquarters Purfleet, Essex
Number of locations
470 (2015)
Key people
Bob Ivell (Chairman)
Wilf Walsh (Chief Executive)
Products Carpets
Revenue £471.5 million (2012)[1]
£8.0 million (2012)[1]
£11.0 million (2012)[1]
Owner Cascade Investment (3%)
Website www.carpetright.plc.uk
File:Rushmere (06), August 2009.JPG
Carpetright, Craigavon, Northern Ireland (2009)

Carpetright plc is one of the largest British retailers of floor coverings. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

History

The company was established by Lord Harris of Peckham in 1988, when he opened the first store in Canning Town.[2] In 1993, it was first listed on the London Stock Exchange. In January 1999, it bought selected Carpetland stores and Allied Carpets stores.[2] In August 2002, it acquired its first operations in Continental Europe, and in August 2005, it acquired May's World of Carpets.[2]

In May 2008, Cascade Investments LLC, Bill Gates's investment vehicle, acquired a 3% stake in the company.[3] In December 2008, the company acquired some stores, once associated with Sleepright UK.[4]

In June 2011, Carpetright announced store closure plans.[5] In December 2012, it was announced the store closures saw profits leap 550%.[6]

Operations

The company now has circa 703 stores.[7] It has expanded into Belgium, the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland. Its products include a wide variety of beds, mattresses, carpets, laminate flooring, vinyl flooring and rugs.

References

External links