B&Q owner Kingfisher sees sales recover as weather improves
Kingfisher, the owner of DIY chains B&Q and Screwfix, has reported a recovery in sales helped by better weather.
Like-for-like sales, which exclude new store openings, rose 2.5% for the 10 weeks to 13 July.
Sales of outdoor and seasonal products at B&Q stores jumped 20% and accounted for almost 40% of the chain's sales.
Kingfisher had a dismal first quarter, reporting a sales fall of 4.2%, with bad weather dragging down sales of outdoor and building products.
Ian Cheshire, Kingfisher's group chief executive, said: ""Following a tough Q1, I am pleased to report that we have been able to capitalise on the better weather conditions in Q2, particularly in the UK, which has helped us to deliver growth. "
But he warned that the broader economic environment was not helping his company.
"Underlying consumer confidence remains weak in our major markets, so we continue to focus hard on our self-help margin and cost initiatives. We are on track to deliver a first half in line with our expectations," he said.
Kingfisher has a large business in France where it owns more than 200 stores under the Castorama and Brico Depot brands. Like-for-like sales there rose 1.1 percent.