Kingfisher says warm weather boosted B&Q sales
Kingfisher, the owner of B&Q and Screwfix, saw sales and profits rise in the third quarter of the year.
Same store sales were 1.3% higher for the total group, although much of the rise came from its overseas outlets.
B&Q's sales decline improved from 1.3% in the second quarter to 0.7%. The chain sold more barbecues in the last week of September than in the whole month of June.
Meanwhile, more than 2,000 employees gained a windfall averaging £3,516.
It came as two of the company's share-saving schemes matured.
The retailer operates 536 B&Q and Screwfix stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
B&Q's profits were up 20% at £46m, after it increased its business by converting 27 of the Focus DIY stores it took over into the B&Q format.
Ian Cheshire, the group's chief executive, said that "the short-term outlook in our major markets remains challenging" but the company was in good shape.