Grafton presents half-yearly figures

The Irish Grafton Group has presented its half-yearly figures, which reveal that DIY retailing in Ireland is on the decline. Turnover in the first six months of 2008 fell by 8 per cent to € 154.6 mio. Among the reasons mentioned by the group for the decline were the poor weather conditions during the main gardening season and the resulting sluggish demand for garden products. What is more, exceptionally strong growth was recorded during the same period of the year before. The group expanded its network of branches in March with the addition of another store in Carrick-on-Shannon. The group's portfolio consisted of 42 DIY stores (Woodie's DIY and Atlantic) and 7 in-house outlets at the end of the first six months.