B&Q and Screwfix owner Kingfisher insists trading still strong amid cost-of-living crisis

The Kingfisher group said: "Work is also ongoing to launch the TradePoint proposition in Ireland." 

On Screwfix, Kingfisher said it will open 80 new outlets this year, and plans in time to have more than 1,000 stores open in Britain and Ireland.

Profits at the owner of retailers B&Q and Screwfix tumbled by 30% at the half-year stage, but the households and DIY group insists it is too early to say the cost-of-living crisis is starting to bite. Their shares fell 2.5%. 

The Kingfisher group has significant retail operations in Britain, France, and Poland but includes its operations in Britain and Ireland in the same reporting line. It is therefore difficult to work out whether its British stores are faring worse than elsewhere in Europe, including those in Ireland.