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[January 2007]
Waterford Wedgwood Christmas Trading Update
Waterford Wedgwood PLC has announced an update on its brands' trading performance over the Christmas 2006 period, the month to 31 December 2006.
The Group said it was pleased to report that the important Christmas Holiday shopping period saw strong retail sales performance by Waterford Wedgwood's major brands in key markets.
While the Group's year-to-date sales (1 April 2006 to 31 December 2006) were broadly in line with the same period last year, December retail performance was very encouraging:
-- In the USA, retail sales to consumers of Waterford Crystal by major department store chains were up 6% year-on-year.
- In Ireland and the UK, sales to consumers of Waterford Crystal by major department store chains were 8% year-on-year.
-- Also in the USA, retail sales to consumers of Wedgwood by major department stores were up 10% year-on-year.
-- In the UK, retail sales to consumers of Wedgwood by major department stores were up 13% year-on-year.
-- In the UK retail sales to consumers of Royal Doulton by major department stores were 25% up year-on-year.
-- In Australia, retail sales to consumers of Royal Doulton by major department store chains were 14% up year-on-year.
-- In Germany, however, sales of Rosenthal were mixed reflecting continuing weakness in the German economy. It is anticipated however that the company's market share in Germany will continue to expand.
The sales gains were described as clear evidence that the new product initiatives were winning new consumers for Waterford Wedgwood's legendary brands. This was said to bode well for the Group's sales performance in the coming months.
Peter Cameron, Group Chief Executive, commented: "Christmas is the most important trading period in the year for Waterford Wedgwood. Across virtually all of our brands, our retailers saw significantly higher sales over Christmas. As a result, our leading retailers and our products had their best Christmas for five years."
www.waterfordwedgwood.com
ENDS