Retail profit at B&Q UK & Ireland grew by 20.6% to £46m in the third quarter of its financial year, according to a statement released today by parent company Kingfisher.
Total sales grew 0.4% (down 0.9% on a like-for-like basis), with sales benefiting from the closure of Focus DIY in Q2. Sales of outdoor seasonal products were boosted by the warm autumn weather, with garden furniture sales up 68%.

Non-seasonal products sales dipped around 4% reflecting the current tough environment for consumers.

The retailer's TradePoint offer continues to grow, with more than 700,000 trade customers registered by the end of Q3.

Screwfix grew total sales by 7% to £136m, with four new outlets opened during the period, taking the total number to 179. Retail profit was up 26.6% to £10m, reflecting strong sales growth and gross margins benefiting from more direct sourcing and continued tight cost control.

Total sales for the Kingfisher Group went up 3.5% to £2,814m in Q3, and increased 1.3% on a like-for-like basis.

Group retail profit rose 13% to £273m, driven by higher sales and continued margin initiatives, including more direct sourcing and the start of common ranging across the group, which also includes Castorama and Brico Dépôt in France.

The company is now in the penultimate quarter of its four-year 'Delivering Value' programme, the key components of which include growing group sourcing, reducing working capital, driving up B&Q UK & Ireland's profit and rolling out in Eastern Europe.

Kingfisher chief executive Ian Cheshire said: "Our well-established programme of self-help initiatives has continued to drive our growth despite these difficult times for European consumers. I am pleased that our teams' hard work has resulted in healthy sales growth and a 13% profit growth in our third quarter... Looking ahead, the short-term outlook in our major markets remains challenging but Kingfisher is in good shape, and we are more able to drive market share gains, profit growth and higher cash returns."

He added: "I'm enthusiastic about out longer-term prospects and the team here is excited about formally launching the second phase of self-help initiatives next year - 'Creating the Leader' - to drive more growth and shareholder value over the coming years."