Carpetright's drive to appeal to a more contemporary market showed signs of having an impact today after its boss pointed to stronger sales.

Chief executive Wilf Walsh said like-for-like sales at the firm, which runs 461 UK outlets, lifted 7.5% in the 13 weeks to January 24, as it continues to focus on "effective promotional activity." Total sales lifted 6.6%.

Mr Walsh, who last July took the helm from founder Lord Harris of Peckham, said he will keep discount levels under review as the business shifts its appeal to a more contemporary market. Shares lifted almost 2%.

Carpetright is looking to rebound from a £7.2 million bottom-line loss last year, which was dragged down by weak trading at its European operations.

It said like-for-like sales at its European outlets during the period, which covers Ireland, Netherlands and Belgium, also lifted 1.7%. However, total sales slipped 0.8%.

The firm said during the period it closed two stores in the UK, as well as two abroad to leave it with 137 European outlets. More than half the company's shops have now been modernised.