Screwfix has reported sales for the 10 weeks to 13 July 2013 up 17.8% (6.6% on a like-for-like basis), driving growth at parent company Kingfisher's UK division, which also includes B&Q.
Kingfisher posted a 3.6% rise in revenues (2.5% on a like-for-like basis) during the period. B&Q's total sales increased by 1.7% (1.9% on a like-for-like basis). But for the 23-week period to 13 July 2013, UK and Ireland sales for Kingfisher were down 0.2% (1.5% on a like-for-like basis).
Sales of outdoor and seasonal products were up 20% and accounted for almost 40% of B&Q’s sales.
Ian Cheshire, Kingfisher's group chief executive, said: "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.”
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%.
