Sales rise from the floor at Carpetright

Carpetright shares surged 70½p to 734½p today as the rugs retailer revealed sales have risen from the floor. Like-for-like sales rose 1.4% for the 13 weeks to 1 August — the first increase since the final three months of 2007/2008.

Chairman and chief executive Lord Harris of Peckham said Carpetright was benefiting from the closure of rivals.