Sun and sanding revive B&Q
Warm weather and the demise of MFI helped boost B&Q’s sales in the first quarter, parent group Kingfisher reports today (June 2).
Like for like sales were up 3.2% in the period, driven by sales of outdoor products and a renewed enthusiasm for DIY and “room makeovers”, it says.
Outdoor ranges were up 30% according to the retailer, while it says kitchen and bathroom sales were “slightly up” due to new ranges and “recent competitor withdrawal.”
The numbers are in sharp contrast to the 5.5% drop in sales recorded at B&Q last quarter despite heavy January discounting.
Kingfisher says its group retail profit increased by 38.5% “primarily” as a result of the doubling of profit at B&Q in the UK.
B&Q is expected to announce the outcome of a review of its advertising account, which it launched in January following the departure of marketing director Jo Kenrick.
Incumbent JWT was expected to pitch against Rapier which has worked with the brand recent campaigns.
