Positive trend

The UK DIY chain Homebase reported sales of £ 401 mio in the second quarter of 2009, equating to growth of 2.9 per cent (like-for-like: 1.6 per cent) compared with the same period in 2008. Two new store openings brought the total number of Homebase outlets to 350 at the end of the quarter. Homebase’s parent company, the Home Retail Group, saw sales growth of 4.4 per cent to £ 866 mio (like-for-like: 2.8 per cent) for the DIY stores for the first half of 2009.