Rona records increase

Rona, the Canadian DIY retail group, has announced sales to the tune of C$ 4.8 bn (€ 3.3 bn) for the year 2007. This amounts to 7.1 per cent more than the previous year, allowing for an additional sales week in 2006. The operating result rose by 6.3 per cent to C$ 400.2 mio (€ 272.3 mio), while the net profit of C$ 185.1 mio (€ 125.9 mio) was slightly down. One of the reasons for this was a decline in the sale of building materials towards the end of the year, according to information from the company.