Carpets and beds retailer United Carpets & Beds has reported a growth in sales as turnover continued to edge closer towards £30m.

According to its latest filed accounts for the year ended 28 September 2023, total sales rose 3.5% £27m from £26.1m in 2022.

Pre-tax profit resulted at £1m, slightly down from £1.5m recorded the previous year. “This is primarily due to an increase in costs associated with our warehouse of £0.3m and additional spend relating to marketing of £0.1m with various increased costs being attributable to the remaining decrease in profit,” the group said.

Stated within its report, United Carpets & Beds, which operates through 58 stores – the majority of which are franchised – across the UK, added: “The financial year end to 28 September 2023 continued to show our strength as a Franchise business with our core customer base supporting the network and an increase of 1.1% in LFL sales in an ever-tightening market shows the model continues to work.

“However, the Franchise network, like all businesses in 2023, has been hit with the cost-of-living crisis that has been affecting our customers. This is coupled with the continued effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that still adds to the volatility with prices linked to the cost of oil.

“Again, this period, like previous years, due to the excellent relationships with our key suppliers, we have been able to keep price increases to a minimum therefore keeping our prices competitive for customers.

“During the period under review, one new franchised store was opened resulting in a total of 58 stores of which 46 were franchised and 12 were corporate by the period end.”