Carpetright moots 3.5m review

Carpetright, the out-of-town carpet retailer, is tipped to review its 3.5m account with Grey Advertising.

The company denies it is to review the account, but observers say it expects to draw up a shortlist by the end of the year, and is known to have had conversations with other agencies.

The retailer is understood to be unhappy with Grey because of what one observer says is “a poor fit between the two companies”.

It is believed that Carpetright’s hands-on chairman Lord Harris is unhappy with the way the account is being serviced by Grey, which is seen as too big and bureaucratic an agency to fulfil Carpetright’s needs. Grey recently parted company with the head of its retail side, Simon Howitt.

Carpetright uses heavyweight tactical advertising, mainly through press ads. The chain has 200 stores, and is planning to open a further 60 over the next two to three years.

It has recently launched two other chains, Premier Carpets and Carpet Depot, which the company hopes to build up to 120 stores.

The advertising account for Carpet Depot is handled by Osprey Park.