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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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 unseasonal autumn weather and the closure of rival Focus DIY helped ease the sales pressure at B&Q owner Kingfisher today.

London: The owner of DIY chain B&Q said it planned to create more than 1,200 new jobs through a major expansion of its trade supply arm Screwfix.

B&Q owner Kingfisher says that it planned to step up its expansion after delivering higher profits in the teeth of the economic downturn.

B&Q owner Kingfisher said it planned to step up its expansion today after delivering higher profits in the teeth of the economic downturn.

B&Q owner Kingfisher today forecast a 20% rise in annual profits after strong international growth offset continued tough trading in the UK.

B&Q owner Kingfisher said quarterly sales at the UK’s biggest DIY chain remained under pressure after shoppers put off “big-ticket” purchases.

KINGFISHER – the British DIY retail group, which owns B&Q – has expressed confidence in its Irish operations despite the home improvement market shrinking here.

B&Q owner Kingfisher today said consumers' renewed interest in home improvement had helped it defy the recession as it reported a rise in sales.

Builders’ merchant Travis Perkins today boosted its online presence after taking a major stake in hardware supplier Toolstation.

B&Q owner Kingfisher is expected to slash its dividend on the back of a major business review, it was reported today.

B&Q owner Kingfisher said trading conditions in the UK remained challenging after the company revealed a near-2% drop in like-for-like sales today.

B&Q owner Kingfisher revealed weaker UK sales figures today as it braced itself for a further softening in consumer demand in the coming months.

B&Q owner Kingfisher today became the latest retailer to report troubles amid the extreme weather conditions, with sales figures down across the UK.

EUROPE’S top home-improvement retailer, Kingfisher Plc, posted a near-halving of first-quarter profit yesterday, and said it was still struggling with weak consumer demand in its core home market.

Private equity groups are lining up takeover bids for the owner of DIY chain B&Q, it emerged today.