Jump in profits for Rona

In fiscal 2004 Canadian DIY store group Rona increased its net sales by 35.8 per cent to C $ 3.680 bn (€ 2.25 bn). Sales by corporate and franchised stores increased 46.9 per cent to C $ 2.579 bn (€ 1.577 bn), with comparable store sales increasing by 9 per cent. The huge jump is due primarily to the acquisition of Réno Dépot at the end of August 2003. Net sales by Rona’s distribution infrastructure to affiliated and franchise companies came to C $ 1.201 bn (€ 734.4 mio), equivalent to an increase of 15.4 per cent over the previous year.