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Highlights

  • Kingfisher’s underlying sales increased 3.1% in Q1 FY25-26 with market share gains across key regions.
  • UK & Ireland saw low single-digit market growth driven by seasonal demand and trade customer growth.
  • France and Poland markets faced declines amid challenging conditions, while Iberia reported sales growth and market share gains in Spain.

Kingfisher (LSE:KGF), a leading home improvement retailer, has reported a 3.1% increase in underlying sales for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025-26. The company gained market share across all key regions while progressing on its strategic priorities. CEO Thierry Garnier noted that despite mixed consumer sentiment and challenging market conditions, the company remains focused on its growth plans, margin discipline, and shareholder returns.

In the UK and Ireland, the company benefited from favorable weather conditions, which supported demand for seasonal products and contributed to low single-digit market growth. The B&Q brand saw like-for-like (LFL) sales growth driven by seasonal category sales as well as stable performance in core and ‘big-ticket’ categories. The marketplace penetration of B&Q reached 45% in the first quarter, supported by efforts to onboard international vendors. Additionally, Kingfisher completed the conversion of eight former Homebase stores, with six already operating under the B&Q banner and two more set to open by the end of May.

Tradepoint, B&Q’s trade-focused banner, recorded LFL sales growth of 7.4%, supported by ongoing efforts to strengthen its relationship with trade customers. Trade sales partners are now present in 77 stores, reinforcing the brand’s focus on this customer segment. Meanwhile, Screwfix experienced growth in LFL sales and market share, driven by an expanded product range for trade customers and the continued adoption of its rapid delivery services, including click & collect and “Screwfix Sprint,” which now offers deliveries in as little as 20 minutes.

In France, the market experienced a mid-single-digit decline amid difficult market conditions. Despite this, the Castorama brand showed improvement in underlying sales trends across all categories. Castorama continues to implement its restructuring and modernization plan, with e-commerce sales growing and marketplace penetration reaching 17% within a year. Brico Dépôt reported an improved underlying sales trend, supported by seasonal categories and steady performance in core and ‘big-ticket’ categories. Trade sales penetration increased to 12%, up from 8% in the previous year, and loyalty programme sign-ups rose by 25% since year-end.

Poland’s market saw a low single-digit decline, attributed mainly to geopolitical factors affecting consumer confidence during the quarter. The weakness was widespread across product categories. Castorama in Poland advanced its trade sales efforts, with trade penetration rising to 25% from 12% in the previous year, alongside growth in its marketplace offering, launched in January.

Other international markets, including Iberia, reported sales growth across core and ‘big-ticket’ categories, though adverse weather impacted seasonal sales. The company noted market share gains in Spain, with demand in the Valencia region following flood damage last year. On 2 May 2025, Kingfisher completed the sale of its 100% equity stake in Brico Dépôt Romania.

Kingfisher reiterated that its market outlook scenarios and guidance for FY25/26 remain consistent with those set out in the previous year’s results.