Flat Q3 sales trend

The third quarter (ended 30 October 2010) was characterised for the UK’s Kingfisher Group by total group sales at last year’s level, but varying developments in the different individual markets. The total sales figure of £ 2.691 bn was 0.1 per cent down on the comparable period last year and 1.2 per cent down like-for-like, but 0.3 per cent up at constant currency. In the core markets of the United Kingdom and Ireland the company recorded sales of £ 1.051 bn, a figure that was 3.8 per cent down, and 4.2 per cent lower like-for-like. This contrasts with sales of £ 1.123 bn in France, amounting to a rise of 0.8 per cent, or 1.8 per cent like-for-like. The Polish stores recorded sales of € 300 mio, which is an increase of 2.1 per cent (down 1.7 per cent like-for-like). The company saw a rise of 38.9 per cent to £ 65 mio in Russia, and of 13.6 per cent to £ 59 mio in Spain. The marked decline of 15.6 per cent to £ 93 mio in China is partly due to the fact that B&Q operates six fewer stores there than in the comparable period last year; however, like-for-like sales were also 3.7 per cent lower than last year’s figure.