Quarterly figures from Homebase

The UK DIY retailer Homebase recorded sales of £ 440 mio (€ 556 mio) in the first quarter of 2008, a figure that is five per cent lower than in the corresponding period last year. Like-for-like sales went down by twelve per cent. The poor weather in March and April had a negative effect on the seasonal trade, which accounts for about 40 per cent of sales in the first quarter, which went down by 20 per cent like-for-like.