Byggmax goes for new concept

After a sharp 7.7 per cent rise in sales in the fourth quarter, the Swedish Byggmax DIY chain saw its annual sales increase by 4.1 per cent. However, with total sales amounting to SEK 3.2164 bn, the like-for-like sales figure actually fell by 0.7 per cent. Following eleven openings (five in Sweden and three each in Norway and Finland), the total number of outlets increased by 14 to 105. There are plans for between seven and 13 new openings this year as well. The company confirms that it is continuing to concentrate on the new Byggmax 2.0 concept. After the conversion of one test store in the first quarter, 18 stores – amounting to 17 per cent of the total – had been converted by the end of the year. Another 15 conversions are expected by the end of April, to be followed by the same number again in the autumn.