Halfords has posted a 7.1% increase in group like-for-like sales for the six months to 2 October, driven by strong demand for seasonal categories during the warm summer weather.
The Redditch-based retailer, which operates 367 Halfords stores, two performance cycling outlets and 497 consumer garages, saw growth across both its motoring and cycling divisions.
Sales Growth Across Divisions
Retail operations recorded a 7.7% rise in like-for-like sales, including a 7.3% increase in motoring and an 8.3% uplift in cycling. The autocentres division posted a 6.1% gain in sales.
Halfords attributed the first-half performance to its broader strategy and robust demand for seasonal categories throughout the summer. In August, the company upgraded its profit outlook following strong sales of bikes, camping equipment and air conditioning services during the unusually warm weather.
Profit Outlook and Share Reaction
The company confirmed it remains on track to deliver an underlying pre-tax profit of between £55 million and £65 million for the current financial year.
Chief executive Henry Birch said: "The business continued to perform positively through the first half as we benefited from good execution against our strategic priorities and strong sales of seasonal categories through the warm summer weather."
Birch added: "We move into the second half with confidence and look forward to sharing more detail on our progress at our interim results announcement later next month."
Despite the upbeat assessment, Halfords shares fell 8.3% on Wednesday morning after the company signalled that planned investment would weigh on profitability during the second half of the financial year.
