Kingfisher’s Q3 results reveal a 2.9% LFL decline in sales in the UK & Ireland, as the axing of Homefit took its toll. The global company also announced plans to pull out of Spain, Portugal and Russia, in a bid to focus on more profitable markets.

Total sales for B&Q in the UK & Ireland fell by 2.8%, with the discontinuation of showroom installation services pulling LFL figures down by around 1.5%. B&Q announced it would be scrapping its Homefit installation service in June with a view to simplifying the buying process within kitchens and bathrooms and citing the fact that 90% of customers now choose to use third-party fitters.

Screwfix had a better quarter, with a total sales uplift of 10.6%, LFL sales up 4.1% and nine new outlets opening during the trading period ended October 31, 2018. The retailer celebrated the opening of its 600th store in September.

Meanwhile, Kingfisher said today it has made a strategic decision to exit operations in Spain, Portugal and Russia in order to concentrate its efforts on regions where it has or can attain a market-leading position.

Kingfisher moved into Spain in 2003, rolling out the Brico Depot format it had successful trialled in France. The business, which reported an operating profit of £2million in FY/17/18, currently operates 28 stores in the country and employs around 1,782 staff.

During Q3, Brico Dépôt Iberia, which includes operations in both Spain and Portugal, posted sales of £87million; up 2% LFL. Kingfisher only ventured into the Portuguese market four years ago and has opened three Brico Dépôt stores in that time. The business reported an operating loss of £2million in FY 17/18.

The picture in Russia wasn’t much brighter, with an operating loss of £8million in FY 17/18. The retail group operates a total of 20 stores in the country under its Castorama banner and employs 3,280 people. In 2016 Kingfisher opened one of four B&Q big box stores in the country in order to trial a new concept designed to bring together the best elements of DIY from across the Kingfisher group.

Chief executive Véronique Laury, said: “We are committed to our plan and to building a strong business for the long-term. As part of this commitment, we have taken the decision to exit Russia, Spain and Portugal. This will allow us to apply our strategy with more focus and efficiency in our main markets where we have, or can reach, a market leading position and create good homes by making home improvement accessible for everyone.”

Kingfisher’s woes in France continue, with LFL sales down 3.4%for the quarter, impacted mostly by continued weak footfall at its Castorama stores and the effect Kingfisher’s One transformation plan is having on the business, which reported LFL declines of 7.3%. Brico Dépôt Framce had a better quarter, with LFL sales sales up 1.1% as a result of good growth from new ‘unified ranges’, which Kingfisher says are helping “to re-energise the Brico Dépôt offer”.

Overall, Kingfisher reported sales of £3billion for Q3, up 1.2% in constant currency, but with LFLs down 1.3%.

Referring to Kingfisher One, Ms Laury added: “Transformation on this scale is tough, and we are operating in a difficult retail environment. We face challenges and we are addressing them. Our main challenge is Castorama France and we shared our action plan to fix it at the half year. Our action plan is now implemented for this year. We have accelerated our move to an everyday low price strategy and have launched a new marketing campaign to make it visible to our customers, however there is no quick fix…

“Finally, I’m pleased to announce we are also returning a further £50million via share buyback which completes our £600million capital return commitment in the first three years of the plan."