Sales up even disregarding acquisition

For the third quarter of 2003 the net consolidated sales of the Canadian home improvement retailer Rona are up by 18.7 per cent over the corresponding period a year ago for a total of Can $ 748.3 mio (€ 483.5 mio). The double-digit increase is explained by the acquisition of Réno-Dépôt. The increase amounts to 5.3 per cent if this effect is disregarded. The sales figure consists of sales from distribution centres to affiliated stores and franchised outlets (Can $ 252.6 mio or € 163.2 mio, nine per cent up) and the retail sales of the franchised and corporate businesses. This latter volume has jumped by 24.3 per cent to Can $ 495.7 mio (€ 320.3 mio). Same store sales rose by 4.5 per cent.