Fewer stores, lower sales

Homebase, a British DIY chain that is part of the Home Retail Group, recorded sales of £ 396 mio in the second quarter (to 28 August). This amounts to 1.1 per cent down on the same quarter last year. Retail space also contracted by 1.1 per cent, though like-for-like sales remained the same. The total number of outlets has dropped to 345, following two further closures in the course of the quarter.