24th Nov 2015 07:27
LONDON (Alliance News) - DIY retailer Kingfisher PLC on Tuesday said sales fell in the third quarter amid continued subdued markets in France and internationally, both hit by currency translation effects, which offset a solid performance in the UK and Ireland.
The FTSE 100-listed group, which owns B&Q in the UK and Castorama in France, along with the tradesman-focused Screwfix business, said its total sales in the quarter to the end of October fell 2.5% to GBP2.65 billion, hit hard by tough conditions and currency translation issues for its international businesses.
In the UK and Ireland, sales were up 5.4%, with like-for-like growth of 4.6%, driven by good sales of outdoor and seasonal products in Kingfisher's B&Q business and by a very strong performance for Screwfix, where sales were up 24% thanks to new trade ranges and new outlets.
In France, total sales were down 7.0%, with Castorama sales down 7.9% amid a subdued French DIY market, while Brico Depot sales were down 5.9%, held back by the slow domestic housing market.
International sales fell 11% in the quarter, with big currency hits taken in Poland and Russia and continued weakness in the Spanish market.
"Third quarter trading conditions have followed a similar trend to the first half of the year, reflecting the more encouraging macroeconomic backdrop in the UK offset by a softer market in France," said Kingfisher Chief Executive Veronique Laury.
By Sam Unsted; [email protected]; @SamUAtAlliance
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