Kingfisher, owner of B&Q and Screwfix, has upgraded its full-year profit expectations after delivering a good third quarter driven by strong strategic execution in e-commerce, trade and core DIY categories.
The group reported underlying like-for-like (LFL) sales growth of 0.9% in Q3, taking year-to-date LFLs to +1.6%, supported by continued increases in both volume and transactions.
The UK remained the stand-out region, with the company citing market share gains and LFL sales growth of 3% across its domestic banners. In contrast, consumer demand in France and Poland continued to soften, with local banners performing broadly in line with their respective markets.
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Trade sales rose 12.1% and the business also reported ongoing momentum in both core ranges and big-ticket home improvement projects, though noted that seasonal categories remained softer.
The group confirmed it has so far purchased £175m of shares under its current £300m buyback programme, which remains on track for completion by March 2026.
Chief executive Thierry Garnier said the quarter demonstrated the strength of the group’s strategy:
“We delivered another quarter of high quality, volume-led growth, driven by our Group strategic initiatives in e-commerce and trade and by our performance in core and ‘big-ticket’ categories.
“B&Q, Screwfix and Iberia continue to strongly outperform their markets. Our performance to date and progress in our strategic initiatives give us the confidence to upgrade our full year profit guidance.”
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