NEWS


Kingfisher issues positive Q1 trading update


Kingfisher plc, owner of B&Q and Screwfix DIY retailers, has issued its first quarter trading update for 2022, which shows strong sales performance versus pre-pandemic levels. Highlights include sales significantly ahead of pre- pandemic performance (three- year LFL +16.2%), supported by strong market share gains; sales of £3.2bn in line with expectations (total sales -4.2% in constant currency and LFL -5.4%); good momentum into the second quarter with three- year


LFL +21.8%, and LFL


-2.5% for the 2 weeks to 14 May 2022 including a c.1% adverse calendar impact; and return of a further £300m of surplus capital via a share buyback programme; first tranche to commence soon. Thierry Garnier, Chief Officer,


Executive said:


“Kingfisher has delivered a good first quarter of trading, with LFL sales 16.2% ahead of our pre- pandemic performance. While facing very strong comparatives in the prior year, our continued strategic progress has enabled us to retain a significant proportion of the increased sales during the pandemic. “We continue to effectively manage inflationary and supply chain pressures. As a result, our product availability is now very close to ‘normal’ levels across all our banners, and we continue to deliver value for our customers through our own exclusive brands and competitive prices. “Looking forward, we are


reiterating our profit guidance for FY 22/23. We are focused on delivering on our strategic objectives and growth initiatives, including the growth of our scalable e-commerce marketplace, the expansion of Screwfix in the UK and France, new store openings in Poland, further increasing our trade customer base. “We


remain committed to


delivering attractive returns for our shareholders and are today announcing a further £300m share


buyback programme.


This reflects our strong cash generation and our confidence in the Group’s outlook.”


Homebase achieves 20% reduction in stock loss with the SmartWater Group


Homebase is the latest


name to team-up with the SmartWater Group to enhance the protection of valuable stock items and reduce theft in store. It is set to introduce forensic marking in more stores across the UK following a 20% reduction in stock loss, and subsequently a sales increase of 10%, across a number of branches in high crime areas. SmartWater is a traceable liquid and forensic asset marking solution that is applied


to items of value to deter theft and support police in recovering stolen property and securing a successful


conviction.


bottle of SmartWater is uniquely formulated and comprises a long lasting and unique forensic identifier whose presence is invisible except under an ultraviolet black light. This ensures items can quickly and categorically be tied back to the location from which they were taken. Homebase


initially trialled


SmartWater in key stock loss areas, such as demonstration


Each


hardware, in some of its worst affected stores as a means of minimising loss prevention. Applying the traceable liquid to power tools and other valuable items, and prominently displaying ‘Protected by SmartWater’ signage, acted as a clear deterrent to criminals and resulted in an immediate reduction in stock loss. The retailer will now be extending this to further stores. SmartWater Group technology is widely deployed in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector.


Counterfeiters target C.K Tools


C.K Tools, the hand tool specialist, is


warning is reasonably the


electrical trade to watch out for fake versions of its top- selling Cable Cutter (3963) after being counterfeiters.


targeted by


Carl Kammerling International, the parent company of C.K Tools was alerted when a loyal customer questioned the quality of a recent purchase, sourced through an independent seller. Having been at the forefront of hand tool manufacturing for more than 100 years, C.K Tools is asking all trade professionals to be vigilant and double check any cable cutter before purchase, to ensure they get the quality product they are used to. Although the printed packaging


Wickes issues trading update in line with expectations


Ahead of its AGM, Wickes Group plc has announced year-to-date trading in line with expectations and reaffirms full year guidance. David Wood, CEO of Wickes, commented: “I am delighted to report continued momentum, and a promising start to the year where we continue to take market share. This performance is testament to the strength of our uniquely balanced business – across Trade, DIY and DIFM – and it has been achieved against strong prior year comparatives. I am particularly proud of our long-term performance, with sales remaining significantly ahead of pre-lockdown levels. “Our focus remains on


4 DIY WEEK MAY 2022


providing our customers with the products and services they need at great value. Our commitment to exceptional value has proven particularly effective


amongst


our local trade customer base, who continue to turn to us at a time when their own order books are at record levels.” Group LFL sales for the first are down


20 weeks (0.6%)


versus the prior year. Core LFL sales are (7.2%) down, with delivered DIFM sales up by 30.9%. On a three-year basis, which compares with the pre-


Covid period, total group sales are 22.4% ahead. “Core sales reflect continued buoyant demand in Local Trade with trade customer order books remaining at record levels. Participation in our TradePro scheme remains strong and we have added over 40,000 customers in the year to date. Like many businesses, we have


seen inflation continue


during the period, and we are managing this responsibly while maintaining our leading price position,” concluded Wood.


www.diyweek.net convincing the


fake is easy to identify – the handles are a brighter red than the


genuine C.K Tools item


and have a grey collar at the top. Additionally, it has ‘CR-V’ forged on the head, does not have a black finish and the blade geometry is poorly designed. Tom Meyerratken, Managing


Director at Carl Kammerling International, said: “Whilst imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, we are concerned that trade professionals across the country are being cheated by these poor-quality rip-offs. “The counterfeits have been traced to a single distributor in the south of England and at the time of writing legal action is in process, but it’s not known if they


MKM continues Scottish growth with Woodrow Timber acquisition


MKM, one of the UK’s


leading independent builders’ merchants, has announced further expansion of its branch network in Scotland with the purchase of Woodrow Timber & Supplies.


Founded in 1979 as Rowan


have made their way to other parts of the country. Therefore, in the immediate future please do double check the cutter handles and head as per our guidance before completing any purchase.”


Timber Supplies, the business officially rebranded to Woodrow Timber & Supplies in 2021 and has grown to become one of the country’s leading suppliers of timber, sheet, and joinery products, operating across three branches in Airdrie, Ayr, and Dunfermline. The acquisition by MKM


ensures customers in the region still have access to an independent merchant, ran by local people, for local people. Taking the total number of MKM branches in the UK up to 97, the acquisition of Woodrow Timber & Supplies further strengthens the merchant’s presence in Scotland and follows both the purchase of Spey Valley Timber and the establishment of new branches in Peterhead and Inverness in 2021. Nick Higgins, Managing Director


at Woodrow Timber & Supplies, said: “After many years of building our reputation, product offering and services in the Scottish timber industry, we wanted to make sure that the business was best positioned to continue to grow. Ensuring the future of our three branches was incredibly important to us and we are confident that they will continue to go from strength to strength under MKM’s leadership.”


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