B&Q owner Kingfisher kept warm by rising orders for insulation products

Kingfisher has continued to post healthy sales results as soaring electricity and gas prices led to an increase in demand for insulation products.

Britain’s largest home improvement retailer, which runs hardware store chain B&Q, reported a surge in orders for central heating controls, thermostatic radiator valves and smart room thermostats at its Screwfix stores.

This helped the group’s overall turnover grow by 1.7 per cent at constant currency levels to £3.26billion in the three months ending October, despite European countries facing more challenging economic circumstances.

Weaker Trade: B&Q owner Kingfisher reported a surge in orders for central heating controls, thermostatic radiator valves and smart room thermostats at its Screwfix stores

Thierry Garnier, Kingfisher’s chief executive, said sales were being supported by the pandemic-induced trend for working from home and an impending need among consumers to save money on energy bills.

Energy costs for households and businesses have shot up in the past 12 months following the relaxation of lockdown and travel restrictions and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Consequently, more consumers and businesses have sought out building materials such as insulation and wall panels that can trap more heat indoors, particularly in Britain, which has some of western Europe’s most draughty properties.

Revenues at Screwfix increased by 4.9 per cent to £610million, buoyed by solid demand from trade customers, expanding market share and 19 new store openings, including its first two outlets in France.

Kingfisher’s performance in Poland was especially strong, with sales rising by 10.5 per cent to £447million thanks to higher orders for new kitchen ranges and weather-related categories.

The company’s turnover grew in all markets, although it admitted trading was impacted by the unusually warm weather that hit Britain and France in October.

In addition, the retailer said demand was further dampened by the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in mid-September and widespread fuel strikes causing shortages at petrol stations across France.

Prior to these events, Kingfisher had already begun to see the Covid-induced boom for DIY products soften as Britons spent more time outdoors and cost-of-living pressures mounted. 

Yet, worsening inflationary pressures have led more people to purchase goods that could potentially slash the size of their long-term gas and electricity bills.

The firm also said it had initiated energy-saving services, partly to advise patrons on what products to buy, with B&Q seeing 1,000 bookings in the three days following the scheme’s launch.

Garnier remarked: ‘With our customers facing rising living costs, we are determined to make home improvement affordable and accessible – particularly through our own exclusive brands, which represent 45 per cent of our sales.

‘While we continue to be vigilant against macroeconomic uncertainty, we remain confident in both the resilience of our industry and in continuing to grow ahead of our markets.’ 

Despite the optimistic outlook, Kingfisher lowered its annual pre-tax profit guidance to £730million to £760million because of higher energy prices and wages, and investment in Screwfix’s new establishments in France.

Kingfisher shares were 2 per cent lower at 248.5p during the late afternoon on Thursday, meaning their value has fallen by around 24 per cent over the past year. 

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk