Woodies DIY owner Grafton sees fall in trading across Irish arm 

The company completed a €106m share buyback last month, announcing a third programme today for more than €50m

Volumes were lower year-on-year across the Group's distribution markets in the UK, Ireland and Finland and were ahead in the Netherlands.

Grafton Group, the owner of Woodies DIY and Chadwicks increased revenue by 2.8% to £704.3m (€800.2m) in the first three months of 2023 despite a fall in trading across its Irish and UK markets.

While maintaining full-year profit guidance, the group noted that March was softer than anticipated in terms of trading, with Grafton saying the sale of seasonal products in Ireland and the UK was adversely affected by wet weather conditions.