Screwfix is poised to expand into Europe with the launch of four trial stores in Germany.
The Kingfisher-owned multichannel retailer will be opening all four outlets in the Rhine-Main area - in Offenbach, Hanau, Dreieich and Koblenz - a week today, September 10.

There will also be a dedicated German website, www.screwfix.de, where customers across Germany can shop across a range of more than 9,000 products. It offers a five-minute click-and-collect service which allows customers to check stock availability and pick up their purchases just five minutes later in store. Any orders placed before 7pm across Germany will be available for next-day delivery to home or to site.

The new stores, plus a German head office, have created 110 new jobs, with all store team members employed from the local areas.

Said Screwfix ceo Andrew Livingston: "After receiving so much interest in our website from international customers, the decision to expand into Germany is part of our continuing effort to help develop our market with both new and existing Screwfix customers.

"Over 4m customers shop with us in the UK and we're looking forward to being able to offer the same successful experience to the German market."

Sir Ian Cheshire, group chief executive of Kingfisher, added: "Screwfix is a business with great potential for international expansion. Its low-cost stores and cutting-edge online operations make for a very powerful combination."

Screwfix is, indeed, a powerhouse within the Kingfisher portfolio which, in the UK, also includes B&Q. Sales at Screwfix rose 17.6% in 2013/14 - 7.3% like-for-like - to £665m, and most product categories, including power tools, plumbing, electrical and workwear, saw record sales.

The momentum grew into the first quarter too: in the 13 weeks to May 3 2014 total sales grew by 24.2% and 12.0% like-for-like to £192m.

In the last year the fascia has opened 60 new stores in the UK.