Slight increase for Mr. Bricolage

The DIY stores belonging to the French Mr. Bricolage group achieved sales of € 378.3 mio in the first quarter 2006. This amounts to an increase of 1.1 per cent on the same period last year. Sales recorded by Mr. Bricolage stores rose by 1.6 per cent to € 350.8 mio. At the end of the quarter there were 428 stores in operation with a combined retail area of 1 150 000 m²; a reported 22 090 m² has been added to the floorspace. The Catena stores experienced a 4.9 per cent drop in sales to € 27.5 mio. Following two closures and two transfers or extensions, the network of Catena stores consisted of 129 outlets with a combined retail area of 104 496 m².