Carluccio's to no longer publish like-for-like sales figures

Carluccio's, the all-day Italian café and retail concept, is joining La Tasca in moving away from like-for-like sales figures.

It argues that such numbers can be easily manipulated.

In its first set of results since listing on the Alternative Investment Market in December, the company has instead focused on cash return on capital invested which it said was continuing to be in excess of 60%.

During the 26 weeks of the results period to 26 March, the company saw store turnover rise by 21% to £21.6m. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation were also up 21% to £2.6m.

The target set at flotation of having five stores opened is all but complete with four open and one, in Richmond, West London, under construction.

During the period there were two openings outside of London at Brighton and Oxford.

The company said it would remain focused on the South-east "while gradually extending our geographical reach to locations throughout the country".

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By Andrew Sangster

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