Kingfisher has posted a rise in annual profit after strong performances from B&Q and Screwfix, with both chains benefiting from market share gains, digital growth and customer transference following the collapse of Homebase.
The DIY giant, which owns B&Q, Screwfix, Castorama and Brico Dépôt, said adjusted pre-tax profit rose six per cent to £560m in the year to 31 January 2026, while total sales climbed 1.3 per cent to £12.9bn.
Underlying like-for-like sales were up 1.4 per cent.
The standout performance came from the UK and Ireland, where like-for-like sales rose 3.3 per cent. B&Q sales increased four per cent to £4bn, while Screwfix sales jumped 4.5 per cent to £2.8bn.
Kingfisher said both businesses were helped by growth in trade and ecommerce, stronger seasonal demand and spend switching its way after Homebase store closures. B&Q also opened 10 stores during the year, including eight former Homebase sites converted within three months of acquisition.
Screwfix continued to be one of the group’s biggest growth engines, opening 32 stores overall, including 13 new compact city locations, as Kingfisher doubled down on convenience and trade demand. Ecommerce sales at Screwfix rose 5.2 per cent, with digital now accounting for 59.4 per cent of sales.
Across the wider group, Kingfisher said trade sales grew 23 per cent excluding Screwfix, while ecommerce sales rose 20 per cent excluding the banner. Marketplace gross merchandise value was up 58 per cent to £518m, underlining the retailer’s push to build a broader digital ecosystem around its core banners.
Chief executive Thierry Garnier said the group had continued to execute its strategy at pace, delivering market share gains, profit growth and strong free cash flow despite a mixed consumer backdrop.
He said the UK banners had “led the way”, with growth at both B&Q and Screwfix reflecting expansion in the digital ecosystem, a greater share of wallet from trade customers and new store openings.
While the UK delivered the clearest bright spot, trading elsewhere remained more mixed. France sales were down 2.1 per cent on a constant currency basis, although Kingfisher said both Castorama France and Brico Dépôt France outperformed the market.
Poland remained tougher, with like-for-like sales down 1.1 per cent, while Iberia was a standout performer with sales up 8.8 per cent.
Kingfisher also pointed to improving profitability, with gross margin rising 80 basis points to 38.1 per cent, helped by sourcing gains, retail media, marketplace growth and tighter inventory management.
Free cash flow came in at £512m, and the retailer said it had completed a £300m share buyback programme. It has now launched a further £300m buyback, while keeping the full-year dividend flat at 12.40p per share.
Looking ahead, Kingfisher said it expects adjusted pre-tax profit of between £565m and £625m in 2026/27, alongside free cash flow of £450m to £510m.
Between Homebase transference, faster digital growth and deeper trade penetration, B&Q and Screwfix are giving the group a stronger platform than many of its rivals.
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