B&Q sales hit by wet Easter but it hopes to gain in heatwave

A wet and cold Easter hit sales of barbecues and garden products at the home improvement chain B&Q, but it hopes to make up lost ground during the current heatwave. B&Q owner Kingfisher , which also owns Screwfix in the UK, as well as Castorama and Brico Dépôt across six European countries, said like-for-like sales (at outlets open at least a year) in the UK and Ireland dipped 0.9% between February and April, its first quarter. Within that, B&Q sales fell 4.1% while Screwfix revenue climbed 4.1%. Overall group sales were down 0.9% in the three-month period, with declines at Castorama and Brico Dépôt. Kingfisher blamed the rain and cold weather around Easter, which put people off buying BBQs, garden furniture and plants. Seasonal products account for a fifth of the company’s total revenues. B&Q sold fewer bathroom fixtures, which was partly offset by a 4.5% rise in kitchen sales after it brought in new ranges. The overall market for bathroom sales in the UK was down 2% in the first quarter, while that for kitchens was flat. The company plans further investment in its own brand bathroom ranges later this year. Kingfisher stuck to its full-year outlook, cheering investors. It expects to make a pre-tax profit of between £565m and £625m this year, driving its share price 3% higher on Tuesday, topping the FTSE 100 index. …