Screwfix Sales Rise Despite Poor DIY Market

Online and catalogue retailer Screwfix, which is owned by DIY giant Kingfisher, has increased sales by 12.6 per cent to £155 million despite a tough home improvement market beset by poor weather.

In the 13 weeks to May 4 comparable sales at the business increased 1.7 per cent. Total sales at Kingfisher, which also owns B&Q and has stores in France and Poland, fell 0.4 per cent to £2.62 billion. Comparable sales at the group, excluding the effect of opening new outlets, fell 4.2 per cent and profit declined 28 per cent to £114 million. .

‘Screwfix grew sales in an improving smaller tradesman market benefiting from new ranges, such as paint and power tool accessories, the continued roll-out of new outlets and the successful introduction of a mobile ‘click, pay & collect’ offer last year,’ the group said in a statement.

Eight Screwfix outlets, which are similar to Argos stores using a catalogue-based shopping system, were opened during the 13 weeks, taking the total to 283.