B&Q stores owner Kingfisher missed forecasts for sales growth in its latest quarter, held back by the weak performance of its French businesses.

Shares in B&Q owner Kingfisher fell up to 5.8% yesterday, taking losses for the year to more than 30%, after it reported weak quarterly sales and said it would be pulling out of a number of European markets.

B&Q is expected to reveal a second-quarter boost from the warm weather next week, helped by shoppers splashing out on barbecues and garden furniture.

Inditex, the world’s biggest clothes retailer and owner of Zara, reported a 9% rise in first-half profit, but its gross margin, as a percentage of sales, slipped, because of a stronger euro.

The pound was heading towards 15-month highs against the US dollar following stronger than expected UK retail sales data.

Profits at B&Q owner Kingfisher are expected to tumble when the DIY firm reports half year results next week, after it was hit by wetter than usual summer weather and amid a slowing property market.

Profits at B&Q owner Kingfisher are expected to tumble when the DIY firm reports half year results next week, after it was hit by wetter than usual summer weather and amid a slowing property market.

The FTSE 100 Index has closed above 7,500 for the first time as higher-than-forecast inflation data and confidence over Britain's prospects under a Tory government drove stocks higher.

Former Tesco boss Terry Leahy has urged the British people to vote to stay in the European Union, reiterating his warning that food prices will rise as a result of Brexit.

Kingfisher, Europe’s largest home-improvement retailer, which owns B&Q here, reported profit that beat estimates, amid growth in the UK and Poland.

Aidan O’Brien’s three-pronged attack on Australia’s leading races stepped up a notch yesterday as Highland Reel, Bondi Beach and Kingfisher set off on the journey Down Under.

The effect on its Irish operations of DIY chain B&Q’s imminent closure of 60 stores across the UK and Ireland remains unclear.

A UK based University football team have been banned from their league as long as they continue to wear their football sponsored by an X-rated website.

The ranks of female bosses in the FTSE 100 Index are to be boosted after Britain’s biggest DIY chain announced a change in leadership.

Joseph O’Brien has revealed there is still a chance he could ride Australia in next week’s Juddmonte International at York.

It was a day that the sun gave after it had taken.

Five men have been arrested in the UK by child exploitation officers investigating alleged sex crimes against teenage girls.

Shares in Kingfisher, Europe’s biggest home improvements retailer, fell 6% yesterday as pressure on profit margins and a smaller-than-expected sales boost from warmer weather pushed first- quarter earnings below forecasts.

Home improvement retailer B&Q Ireland returned to break even in the second half of its latest financial year — less than 12 months after emerging from examinership — its parent company revealed yesterday.

B&Q owner Kingfisher today posted a 4% rise in annual profits amid signs that it is benefiting from the upturn in the UK housing market.

DIY retailer B&Q Ireland has shown signs of improved trading since emerging from examinership in May, its parent company said yesterday.

Weaker-than-expected European economic data gave British investors a jolt today as the FTSE 100 Index slipped back from yesterday’s three-week high.

Investors stuck to the sidelines today as evidence of a strengthening US job markets fuelled expectations that policymakers will cool stimulus efforts.

The successful emergence from examinership of DIY giant B&Q (Ireland) and ladies fashion retailer Pamela Scott after releasing themselves from prohibitive rent agreements is likely to set a precedent for other similar-sized chains, according to industry representative Retail Excellence Ireland.

B&Q Ireland is to exit examinership, a move which is set to save 640 jobs.

B&Q’s Waterford store is set to close next month with the loss of 47 jobs.

The Irish division of home improvement/DIY retailer B&Q — which is in examinership — incurred losses of £7m (€8.25m) last year, according to figures from its parent company.

Home improvement chain B&Q posted a 6.4% drop in sales today after poor weather and more consumer caution led to a “tough” winter quarter.

The High Court has confirmed an examiner to B&Q Ireland Ltd, whose situation the judge said had aspects that were both “depressingly familiar” and “refreshingly new”.

Almost 400 job losses were confirmed in two of the country’s largest retailers, HMV and B&Q, yesterday.

Struggling DIY chain B&Q Ireland will return to the High Court today looking to confirm the appointment of an examiner over their nine Irish stores.

An interim examiner has been appointed to B&Q Ireland’s nine home improvement stores, which employ almost 700.

The Irish division of DIY and garden centre chain B&Q has gone into examinership, it has confirmed.

Uncertainty caused by tonight's US fiscal cliff deadline quashed any celebrations over a near 6% jump for the FTSE 100 Index over 2012.

Marks & Spencer was one of the biggest risers on London’s leading shares index today as improved recent trading offered hope of a turnaround.

Around 6,500 UK retail jobs were under threat today as electricals chain Comet became the latest casualty on the high street.

The London market closed higher today following positive US retail sales and amid hopes two of the eurozone's struggling members would receive bailouts later this week.

Kingfisher Airlines has grounded flights for at least three days after a violent strike over unpaid wages at the cash-strapped Indian carrier.

B&Q owner Kingfisher today said the wettest summer in 100 years cost the group £30m (€37.5m) in profit as demand for gardening and outdoor maintenance plunged.

The retail sector was firmly in the spotlight on the London market today after a raft of weather-hit updates from leading high street chains.

London’s leading shares index finished the week on a high after bullish comments from analysts helped lift some of the gloom over the banking sector.