Baumax announces double-digit sales growth

Baumax, the Austrian DIY retailer, has announced that it was able to increase total gross sales (national and international) by 10.3 per cent to € 1.25 bn last year. The foreign share of sales amounted to more than 53 per cent. In Austria, Baumax notched up sales of € 584 mio, or 2 per cent more than the previous year. The highest rate of growth was recorded in Slovakia, where sales rose by 24 per cent to € 139 mio. The group’s combined floorspace went up by 6.8 per cent to 813 300 m². Baumax is forecasting gross sales growth of 10 per cent to € 1.4 bn for 2008, with the total number of outlets increasing from 128 to 140. This year is also expected to see the group’s market entry in Bulgaria (3 stores), and a launch in Turkey is being planned for 2009. The intention is to set up 5 stores per year there.