Four per cent growth for Bunnings

Bunnings, the Australian DIY chain, reports sales of AUS $ 1.741 bn in the first three months of the current year, which is a 4.3 per cent improvement on the same period last year. Sales grew by 2.6 per cent in like-for-like terms. This period is the third quarter of Bunnings’ financial year, which commences in July. Sales over the first three quarters add up to AUS $ 5.533 bn, which means they are 6.0 per cent (like-for-like 4.0 per cent) above the comparable period of the previous year. The company currently (to 31 March 2012) operates 200 stores in the warehouse format and 58 smaller DIY stores; it intends to open seven more stores by the middle of the year.