Sales losses for Homebase

In the latest 2012/2013 financial year (to 2 March 2013) the British Homebase DIY retail chain recorded a sales decline of 5.2 per cent overall. In like-for-like terms the decline amounted to 4.9 per cent. Sales came to ₤ 1.4307 bn. After five closures the store portfolio now totals 336. It includes a second store, opened in October 2012, which implements the new format that was first tested in Aylesford. The aim of this format is to provide a shopping experience that combines inspiration for customers with online offers. The company is currently pushing ahead with internet trading in general. The online share of sales has seen a rise of 16 per cent to five per cent of the total. For example, sales of the “Reserve and Collect” range have increased by 27 per cent to achieve a 1.5 per cent share of the overall Homebase volume.