3rd Qtr Trading Statement

Kingfisher PLC
11 December 2002



EMBARGOED UNTIL 0700 HOURS

Wednesday 11 December 2002

Kingfisher reports third quarter retail profit growth of 15.7%

Third Quarter to 2 November 2002
                                                                2002               2001             Change
                                                                  £m                 £m                  %

Retail Sales                                                 2,669.0            2,431.3                9.8
Like-for-like sales growth                                      2.1%               4.8%                n/a
Retail Profit (1)                                              180.2              155.7               15.7
Capital Expenditure (1)                                         81.6               90.3              (9.6)

Nine months to 2 November 2002                                  2002               2001             Change
                                                                  £m                 £m                  %
Retail sales                                                 7,741.0            7,039.2               10.0
Like-for-like sales growth                                      1.6%               4.7%                n/a
Retail Profit (1)                                              474.5              401.4               18.2
Capital expenditure (1)                                        323.4              393.4             (17.8)
Stocks                                                       1,871.7            1,665.9               12.4
Net debt                                                   (1,832.7)          (1,199.7)                n/a


(1)    Retail sectors only, excludes e-commerce, property, financial services, acquisition goodwill
       amortisation, exceptional items and other operating costs (and for 2001 excludes discontinued
       operations)


Kingfisher plc today announced its third quarter trading results for the 13
weeks to 2 November 2002.

Overall retail sales grew by 9.8% to £2.7 billion, up 2.1% on a like-for-like
basis.  Over the same period retail profit grew faster than sales, up 15.7%,
benefiting from the continued focus on margins and costs.

The Group's Home Improvement business returned to good growth following a slow
second quarter, growing sales by 16.1% in total, up 5.2% on a like-for-like
basis.  Growth was achieved not only in the UK, but in France and across the
other international markets.  Home Improvement retail profit grew by 28.7% to
£151 million.

Depressed consumer confidence across continental Europe influenced the
performance of Kingfisher's Electrical & Furniture business following the short
term boost generated by the World Cup in the second quarter.  Although total
sales growth was achieved in every market with the exception of Germany, the
sector's sales fell 3.2% on a like-for-like basis.  Retail profit of £29.2
million was down from last year's £38.4 million.

For the year to date, Kingfisher's sales have grown by 10.0% with like-for-like
growth of 1.6%.  Retail profit has grown 18.2%, significantly faster than sales.

'We've continued to deliver strong financial results despite tough markets,'
said Helen Weir, Group Finance Director.  'Home Improvement has led the way with
excellent results right across our international network, proving the strength
of our market positions. This, combined with a focus on cashflow that has
benefited interest costs, has enabled the Group to counter the cyclical downturn
in our electricals business.'

Francis Mackay, Group Chairman, added: 'Kingfisher has continued to deliver good
results this year despite a difficult European electricals market. We've also
made significant progress towards transforming the Group into a specialist home
improvement retailer.  Since taking full control of Castorama, the Home
Improvement Executive Board has been working with the local retail teams putting
in place the plans needed to realise the full potential of the business.  This
process has got off to a good start and I'm confident about the future.

'Preparations for the final step in the transformation plan, the separation of
Electrical & Furniture, are well in hand.  As Europe's second most profitable
electricals retailer, with leading positions in France and the UK, we have a
number of viable separation options.  I expect a successful outcome, in line
with our original timetable, leaving Kingfisher to emerge as Europe's number one
pure-play home improvement retailer and the world's only truly international DIY
business.'

Notes

This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current
assumptions and forecasts made by Kingfisher's management. Various known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to substantial
differences between the actual and future results, financial situation,
development or performance of the Group and the estimates given here. The Group
accepts no obligation to continue to report or update these forward-looking
statements, or adjust them to future events or developments.

                                     - end-

Company Profile

1. Kingfisher is Europe's leading home improvement retailer and is ranked number
three in the world.  The company operates more than 600 home improvement stores
in 12 countries and enjoys market-leading positions in the UK, France, Poland
and Taiwan, making it the world's only truly international home improvement
business.  Sales for the year to 2 February 2002 were more than £5.8 billion,
with retail profit in excess of £430 million. Kingfisher also has a strategic
alliance with Hornbach, Germany's leading 'big box' home improvement retailer,
which operates 99 stores across Europe.

2. Kingfisher Electrical & Furniture operates more than 830 stores in nine
countries.  It is Europe's third largest electricals retailing business by sales
and number two by retail profit.  As well as holding the leading position in
France with Darty and BUT, and the number two position in the UK with Comet,
Kingfisher also enjoys leading positions in Belgium and the Czech and Slovak
Republics.  Sales for the year to 2 February 2002 were more than £3.7 billion,
with retail profit of £184 million.


Further Enquiries:

Broker and Institutional Enquiries
Ian Harding, Director of Investor Relations                               [phone]
Frederique Lepelletier, Head of IR, Continental Europe                    [phone]

Media Enquiries
Jonathan Miller, Head of Corporate Communications, UK                     [phone]
Graham Fairbank, Head of Corporate Communications, France                 [phone]

Kingfisher plc                                                            [phone]

Kingfisher website                                                        www.kingfisher.com

The Maitland Consultancy
Angus Maitland/Duncan Campbell-Smith                                      [phone]

Euro RSCG
Laurent Wormser                                                           [phone]
Marie-Noelle Brouaux                                                      [phone]



SUMMARY UNAUDITED RESULTS
For 13 weeks ended 2 November 2002


SECTOR                                                       Retail sales (£m)
                                               2002              2001    % total change   % like-for-like
                                                                                                   change
HOME IMPROVEMENT                            1,731.0           1,490.4              16.1               5.2
ELECTRICAL & FURNITURE                        938.0             940.9             (0.3)             (3.2)
TOTAL                                       2,669.0           2,431.3               9.8               2.1


SECTOR                                                 Retail Profit (£m) (1)
                                             2002               2001             % total change
HOME IMPROVEMENT                                   151.0              117.3                28.7
ELECTRICAL & FURNITURE                              29.2               38.4              (24.0)
TOTAL                                              180.2              155.7                15.7

For 39 weeks ended 2 November 2002


SECTOR                                                       Retail sales (£m)
                                               2002              2001    % total change   % like-for-like
                                                                                                   change
HOME IMPROVEMENT                            5,152.9           4,475.4              15.1               3.6
ELECTRICAL & FURNITURE                      2,588.1           2,563.8             (0.9)             (2.1)
TOTAL                                       7,741.0           7,039.2              10.0               1.6


SECTOR                                                 Retail Profit (£m) (1)
                                             2002               2001          % total change
HOME IMPROVEMENT                                   407.1              322.3                26.3
ELECTRICAL & FURNITURE (2)                          67.4               79.1              (14.8)
TOTAL                                              474.5              401.4                18.2


(1)    Retail sectors only, excludes e-commerce, property, financial services, acquisition goodwill
       amortisation and other operating costs
(2)    Electrical & Furniture includes ProMarkt for the nine months to October 2002 and the ten months to
       October 2001 respectively.  The prior year results for ProMarkt include sales of £52.0 million and a
       retail loss of £(5.0) million relating to the additional month of January 2001.

SUMMARY OTHER DATA
As at 2 November 2002

HOME IMPROVEMENT
SECTOR                          Store nos.               Selling space               Employees
                                                          (000s sq.m)                  (FTE)
                             2002         2001         2002         2001         2002         2001
UK                                320          310        1,960        1,739       24,843       21,112
France                            160          147        1,211        1,115       16,205       15,567
International                     125          103          898          686       13,870       11,541
Total                             605          560        4,069        3,540       54,918       48,220

ELECTRICAL & FURNITURE
SECTOR                          Store nos.               Selling space                Employees
                                                          (000s sq.m)                   (FTE)
                             2002         2001         2002          2001         2002         2001
France(1)                         293          267           536          462       13,482       12,430
UK                                254          259           238          227        8,022        7,985
Germany                           187          194           229          224        3,230        3,278
International                     104           95            98           85        2,261        1,960
Total                             838          815         1,101          998       26,995       25,653


(1)    Electrical & Furniture France includes only those stores consolidated in the Group's figures.
       Electrical & Furniture France also operates 129 non-consolidated franchise stores with 337,000 square
       metres of selling space and 3,000  (FTE) employees.



HOME IMPROVEMENT
For 13 weeks ended 2 November 2002

SECTOR                                                       Sales (£m)
                                   2002               2001          % total change      % like-for-like
                                                                                            change
UK                                       933.4              800.5                16.6                 5.9
France                                   546.8              484.6                12.8                 3.2
International                            250.8              205.3                22.2                 7.2
Total                                  1,731.0            1,490.4                16.1                 5.2


SECTOR                                                Retail Profit (£m)
                                        2002                 2001               % change
UK                                              87.6                 70.2                 24.8
France                                          44.7                 38.8                 15.2
International                                   18.7                  8.3                125.3
Total                                          151.0                117.3                 28.7

For 39 weeks ended 2 November 2002

SECTOR                                                       Sales (£m)
                                   2002               2001          % total change      % like-for-like
                                                                                            change
UK                                     2,873.7            2,472.5                16.2                 4.0
France                                 1,564.7            1,415.2                10.6                 2.1
International                            714.5              587.7                21.6                 6.2
Total                                  5,152.9            4,475.4                15.1                 3.6


SECTOR                                                Retail Profit (£m)
                                        2002                 2001               % change
UK                                             260.7                211.1                 23.5
France                                         108.3                100.1                  8.2
International                                   38.1                 11.1                243.2
Total                                          407.1                322.3                 26.3



During the quarter Kingfisher completed its offer for the minority shares of
Castorama Dubois Investissements (CDI) and took full management control.
Kingfisher now owns 99.4% of the share capital of CDI.  Castorama France and
Brico Depot now report directly to the Home Improvement Executive Board.  Since
taking full control, work has been progressing well on the introduction of B&Q's
successful Cost Price Reduction Programme in France as well as store
revitalisation initiatives across the French network. The two other initiatives,
reorganising the London and Lille corporate head offices and reviewing the
international operations are also well advanced.

UK

B&Q capitalised on an extended summer season delivering a strong sales
performance from exterior paints, horticultural products, exterior tools and
garden furniture.  Sales were also boosted by the expansion of a number of
ranges including window decor and power tools and by the completion of the roll
out of the new 'it' kitchen ranges to all Warehouse stores.

During the quarter B&Q opened a further three Warehouse stores as well as two
more 'mini-Warehouse' format stores, with encouraging results.  This new
innovative format is an adaptation of the Warehouse format designed for smaller
catchment areas.  The mini-Warehouse offers up to 25,000 product lines across a
store with a total selling space of between 5,000 and 7,000 square metres, with
the potential to access the full Warehouse range via home delivery channels.  B&
Q is currently converting a further four Supercentre stores into this new
format.

Gross margins continued to benefit from favourable product mix, range
introductions and supply chain initiatives.

France

The local teams delivered solid sales and profit growth in France despite the
distractions of the offer for minority shares and subsequent re-organisation.
Castorama France boosted sales with the introduction of new products across a
number of ranges. Growth in the third quarter was ahead of that achieved in the
first half of the year.  Brico Depot continued its expansion programme with the
opening of three further stores, all of which are trading ahead of expectations.
Building and timber products benefited from range reviews while catalogues drove
volume across all categories.

International

Year-on-year profits more than doubled in the quarter, driven primarily by
particularly strong results in Poland, Canada and Italy.  Despite a difficult
economic climate, Castorama Poland generated double-digit like-for-like sales
growth and continued to add new selling space. In Canada, Reno Depot continued
to demonstrate sales and margin growth despite an increasingly competitive
market.

Two new Warehouse stores were opened during the quarter. The first, in the
Italian city of Verona, has traded ahead of expectations.  The second opened in
Hangzou in China, an international market where sales continued to grow
strongly.

ELECTRICAL & FURNITURE
For 13 weeks ended 2 November 2002


SECTOR                                                         Sales (£m)
                                   2002                2001           % total change      % like-for-like
                                                                                               change
France                                    438.6               419.7                 4.5                (4.5)
UK                                        311.1               308.0                 1.0                (2.4)
Germany (1)                               128.1               163.6              (21.7)                (2.9)
International                              60.2                49.6                21.4                  1.4
Total                                     938.0               940.9               (0.3)                (3.2)


SECTOR                                                 Retail Profit (£m)
                                        2002                  2001                % change
France                                           34.5                  42.5                (18.8)
UK                                                7.9                   6.1                  29.5
Germany (1)                                     (9.4)                 (6.8)                (38.2)
International                                   (3.8)                 (3.4)                (11.8)
Total                                            29.2                  38.4                (24.0)

For 39 weeks ended 2 November 2002


SECTOR                                                       Sales (£m)
                                   2002               2001          % total change      % like-for-like
                                                                                            change
France                                 1,206.4            1,151.5                 4.8               (2.5)
UK                                       862.1              826.5                 4.3                 0.6
Germany (1)                              355.0              448.6              (20.9)               (7.9)
International                            164.6              137.2                20.0                 1.1
Total                                  2,588.1            2,563.8                 0.9               (2.1)


Retail Profit (£m)                      2002                  2001                 % change
France                                           94.9                 107.7                 (11.9)
UK                                               12.7                   9.5                   33.7
Germany (1)                                    (31.0)                (30.2)                  (2.6)
International                                   (9.2)                 (7.9)                 (16.5)
Total                                            67.4                  79.1                 (14.8)


(1)    Electrical & Furniture Germany includes Promarkt for the nine months to October 2002 and the ten months
       to October 2001 respectively.  The prior year results include sales of £52.0 million and a retail loss
       of £(5.0) million relating to the additional month of January 2001.  Also they include the results of
       WIN, a wholesale business sold at the beginning of the year.

France

Consumer sentiment remained very weak throughout the quarter with the French
electricals market continuing to decline.  In particular, the brown goods
markets fell following the previous quarter which benefited from the impact of
the World Cup. Against this background the French business saw overall sales
growth, although on a like-for-like basis sales declined.

Once again large screen TVs, DVDs, laptop computers and digital cameras
performed strongly for Darty, but this was not enough to offset declines in the
more traditional domestic appliances. Darty's total sales declined by 1.4%, down
4.7% on a like-for-like basis.  Latest market share data to September show Darty
ahead slightly on the same period last year. Gross margins softened in the
quarter reflecting the changing product mix and lower mobile phone activity. A
further three new stores were opened and one store relocated.

BUT grew total sales by 22.3%, boosted by the acquisition in the first half of
11 franchise stores and initiatives aimed at growing wholesale sales direct to
franchisees.  On a like-for-like basis, sales declined by 3.7% with furniture
sales performing relatively better than electricals sales. Gross margins
remained firm, benefiting from ongoing supply chain initiatives and a stronger
furniture mix.

UK

The positive impact of Comet's margin and cost initiatives resulted in solid
retail profit growth in the quarter and year to date.

Total sales growth benefited from six new interactive stores in the first half
and a further four new openings in the quarter.  Comet also continued with its
store refresh programme with just over 70 now completed ahead of the key fourth
quarter trading period. The short term disruption from the store refresh
programme contributed to the like-for-like decline.

Germany

The combination of very weak consumer confidence and aggressive competition
resulted in continued declining sales, although the rate of decline in
like-for-like sales was significantly reduced. Large screen TVs, DVDs,
multi-media accessories and digital cameras saw good growth but most other
categories declined.  Gross margins were slightly down reflecting the product
mix.

International

Total sales growth benefited from strong organic like-for-like growth in Belgium
and store expansion in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Markets generally remained depressed with strength in new digital products
partly offset by weakness in traditional product ranges.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange