LONDON (Reuters) - Kingfisher (L:KGF), Europe's biggest home improvement retailer, posted a 1.4 percent rise in first quarter retail profit, helped by a strong performance at Screwfix which lifted sales at its British arm.
Kingfisher, which trades as B&Q and Screwfix in Britain and Castorama and Brico Depot in France, said on Thursday retail profit for the 13 weeks to May 2 rose to 150 million pounds at constant currency, ahead of a company compiled consensus forecast of 146 million pounds.
Underlying group sales grew 0.8 percent versus strong comparative figures a year ago, with sales in France down 1.2 percent but up 1.6 percent in the UK and Ireland, where the company also made gross margin gains after less promotions.