1st Quarter Results
Kingfisher PLC
26 May 2005
EMBARGOED UNTIL 0700 HOURS
Thursday 26 May 2005
Kingfisher plc
First Quarter ended 30 April 2005
Group Financial Highlights (prepared in accordance with IFRS)*
• Sales up 2.2% to £1.94 billion (2004: £1.90 billion), up 0.5% in constant currency
• Like-for-Like (LFL) sales down 5.6%
• Retail profit** down 15.6% to £125.9 million (2004: £149.2 million), down 17.9% in constant currency
• Net debt of £753.7 million (£510.9 million as at 1 May 2004)
* Results for Q1 are presented under International Financial Reporting Standards
(IFRS). The comparatives for Q1 2004/05 have been restated. The detailed
impact of adoption of IFRS was set out in a press release dated 17 March 2005
and is available at www.kingfisher.com. A document showing the restatement of
2004/05 quarterly retail profits prepared under IFRS is also available at
www.kingfisher.com.
**Retail profit is stated before other operating costs, exceptional items and
our share of joint venture and associates' interest and tax.
Gerry Murphy, Chief Executive, said:
'So far, 2005 has been difficult for UK retailers, with consumer spending
clearly impacted by higher interest rates, higher taxes and pension
contributions, and rising fuel bills. An early Easter and poor spring weather
also affected our main consumer businesses in the UK and France during our
February to April first quarter. Brico Depot continued to grow strongly, as did
our businesses in Italy and Asia.
'With the key summer season still to come, it is too early to judge the outlook
for the full year. However, trading in the first three weeks of our second
quarter continues to be challenging in the UK and France.
'Though current trends are adverse, Kingfisher companies will continue to offer
great products and great prices to attract customers to our stores. We also
remain focused on improving cost efficiency and investing to sustain long-term
growth and improved returns for shareholders.'
Company Profile
Kingfisher plc is Europe's leading home improvement retailer and the third
largest in the world, with over 600 stores in nine countries in Europe and Asia.
Its main retail brands are B&Q, Castorama, Brico Depot and Screwfix Direct.
Kingfisher also has a 21% interest in, and a strategic alliance with, Hornbach,
Germany's leading DIY Warehouse retailer, with 117 stores in eight European
countries.
UK & IRELAND
For the 13 weeks ended 30 April 2005
Retail Sales £m % Total % LFL Retail Profit £m % Total
Change Change Change
2005 2004 2005 2004
B&Q* 1,038.4 1,068.8 (2.8)% (7.7)% 73.2 87.7 (16.5)%
Screwfix Direct 64.7 64.2 0.8% 0.8% 2.6 4.6 (43.5)%
Total UK 1,103.1 1,133.0 (2.6)% (7.2)% 75.8 92.3 (17.9)%
*B&Q profits are restated to include income previously reported separately as
property income.
UK consumer spending - Consumer demand weakened markedly in the quarter, with
British Retail Consortium data for the three months to April showing a decline
in 'other non-food' like-for-like sales of 3.2%, following a decline of 0.4% in
the previous quarter.
B&Q's total sales declined 2.8% to £1.0 billion (7.7% LFL decline) and retail
profit declined by 16.5% to £73.2 million. Based on the most recent available
data for the major DIY retailers, B&Q maintained market share.
Sales were weaker across all categories reflecting reduced footfall, although
average transaction values remained steady. Trade categories performed best,
being less impacted by weather and retail consumption trends. New ranges of
plumbing and building materials sold well. All other categories declined due to
weaker overall consumer demand, an early Easter holiday and poor spring weather.
Sales of kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms were impacted by stronger competitive
activity and more widespread promotions.
Products included in the recent Price Reverse campaign and new ranges
introduced, performed relatively better. More contemporary ranges of key lines
will be introduced into stores during the current quarter.
Store development - In the first quarter one new Warehouse store and three new
mini-Warehouses opened. Five Supercentres were converted to the mini-Warehouse
format. One Warehouse closed temporarily, and two Supercentres closed.
In the current rental environment for UK out of town retail property, B&Q has
scaled back its plans for new Warehouse commitments. Instead, the focus will be
on opening mini-Warehouses and revamping existing Supercentres.
Retail margin declined from 8.2% to 7.1%. Gross margins improved although this
was entirely due to the timing last year of a major promotion. Increases in
store rents and business rates and higher distribution costs for home
fulfilment, were only partly offset by overhead savings and £4 million lower
pre-opening costs.
SCREWFIX DIRECT's sales grew by 0.8% to £64.7 million as customer demand started
to recover following last year's complete reconfiguration of fulfilment
operations. The consumer slowdown had less impact on the business compared with
B&Q as Screwfix Direct has a higher proportion of trade customers.
Retail profit declined by £2.0 million to £2.6 million. The lower costs of
fulfilment were more than offset by increased advertising and marketing costs,
the use of promotional discount vouchers, and the £0.5 million cost of opening
two Trade Counters. Screwfix Direct had four Trade Counters at the end of the
first quarter and a further three trials are planned for the remainder of the
year.
FRANCE
For the 13 weeks ended 30 April 2005
Retail sales £m 2005 2004 % Change % Change % LFL
(Reported) (Constant) Change
Castorama 382.3 389.9 (1.9)% (4.4)% (4.4)%
Brico Depot 269.3 213.4 26.2% 23.1% 10.9%
Total France 651.6 603.3 8.0% 5.3% 1.2%
Retail profit £m 2005 2004 % Change % Change
(Reported) (Constant)
Castorama 20.2 27.2 (25.7)% (27.3)%
Brico Depot 20.0 16.2 23.5% 20.5%
Total France 40.2 43.4 (7.4)% (9.5)%
2005 £1 = 1.4534 euro; 2004 £1 = 1.4903 euro
All comparative growth figures in the remainder of the text are expressed on a
constant currency basis.
French market - According to Banque de France, DIY comparable store sales growth
in France declined by 0.6% in the first quarter compared to growth of 2.3% in
the previous quarter. In a promotional and discount-led market, impacted by
poor spring weather and an early Easter, Kingfisher grew overall market share
with Group sales in France up 5.3% (1.2% LFL).
CASTORAMA sales were £382.3 million, down 4.4% (4.4% LFL decline). Retail
profit of £20.2 million declined 27.3%.
Sales were generally weak, impacted by the poor weather, disruption from planned
store refurbishments and the change-over to new decorative ranges in the
quarter. Lowering prices for customers and increasing sales of cheaper
own-brand and direct-sourced product impacted sales. Air-conditioning was
particularly weak, following exceptional growth last year.
Seasonal categories, including garden furniture and garden power tools, were
flat despite the poor weather, boosted by the launch of the first new catalogue.
Two further 200 page catalogues will be distributed in the remainder of the
year. New ranges of kitchens, flooring and showers were the strongest
performing categories.
Store development - Five stores were revamped in the quarter and one new store
opened, taking the number of new format Castorama stores to 19. During the
quarter three stores were closed, one of which is being transferred to Brico
Depot.
Pricing - In an increasingly price conscious market, Castorama further improved
its price perception ranking from fifth to third.
Retail margin decreased from 7.0% to 5.3%. An estimated £5 million cost of
implementing new ranges and revamping stores was not fully offset by sourcing
gains and other productivity improvements.
BRICO DEPOT delivered sales of £269.3 million, up 23.1% (10.9% LFL) and retail
profit of £20.0 million, up 20.5%. Benefiting from a stronger trade market and
its price leadership, Brico Depot grew sales in all categories against strong
comparatives. A second national catalogue was launched in April. Two stores
were revamped in the quarter.
Retail margin decreased from 7.6% to 7.4% due to additional investment in
systems and head office to support continued growth.
REST OF WORLD
For the 13 weeks ended 30 April 2005
Retail sales £m 2005 2004 % Change % Change % LFL
(Reported) (Constant) Change
Castorama Poland 75.5 80.7 (6.4)% (22.8)% (36.1)%
Castorama Italy 56.6 45.8 23.6% 20.4% 7.8%
B&Q China 44.1 32.7 34.9% 38.7% 4.0%
Other Int'l (1) (2) 9.6 2.3 317.4% 317.4% 10.5%
Total 185.8 161.5 15.0% 3.9% (17.6)%
Retail profit £m 2005 2004 % Change % Change
(Reported) (Constant)
Castorama Poland 6.5 13.7 (52.6)% (60.8)%
Castorama Italy 5.1 1.6 218.8% 200.0%
B&Q China (1.4) (2.1) 33.3% 33.3%
B&Q Taiwan 2.5 2.0 25.0% 19.0%
Other Int'l (1) (2.8) (1.7) (64.7)% (64.7)%
Total 9.9 13.5 (26.7)% (40.4)%
(1) Other International includes Hornbach in Germany, Koctas in Turkey, B&Q
Home in South Korea, Brico Depot in Spain and Castorama in Russia.
(2) Joint venture sales not consolidated (B&Q Taiwan, Koctas in Turkey)
All comparative growth figures in the remainder of the text are expressed on a
constant currency basis.
Total sales outside the UK, Ireland and France were £185.8 million, up 3.9%
(17.6% LFL decline). Retail profit was £9.9 million, down 40.4%.
Castorama Poland - Sales were £75.5 million, a decline of 22.8%. LFL sales
declined 36.1% against a very strong comparative last year (+52.7% LFL), as
customers purchased ahead of higher VAT rates. Retail profit declined 60.8% to
£6.5 million reflecting the decline in sales and the costs of opening two new
stores (2004/05: 0 stores).
Castorama Italy - Sales were £56.6 million, up 20.4% (7.8% LFL) and retail
profit was £5.1 million, up 200.0%. All categories performed well. Sales
growth was supported by the launch of three catalogues during the quarter, which
focused on bathrooms, kitchens and garden projects. Retail margin increased from
3.5% to 9.0% driven by volume-related cost efficiencies and lower pre-opening
costs.
B&Q China - Sales reached £44.1 million, up 38.7% (4.0% LFL). Growth was driven
by increasing trade sales and stronger installation services. LFL sales growth
was impacted by revamping activity in four stores and the later timing of
Chinese New Year promotional activity. Retail losses of £1.4 million were £0.7
million lower than last year, partly due to lower pre-opening costs. Last year
the costs of opening three stores early in May were absorbed in the first
quarter. One store was opened in the period (2004/05: 0 stores)
During the quarter, Kingfisher announced the accelerated expansion of B&Q China,
with an agreement to buy OBI Asia Holding Ltd, the holding company for OBI's
majority equity interest in its Chinese operations. Subject to the necessary
government approvals, the addition and conversion of OBI's stores will
significantly accelerate B&Q China's growth, giving B&Q China around 50 stores
trading within the next 12 months.
B&Q Taiwan, a 50% joint venture, delivered £2.5 million retail profit, up 19.0%
due to strong sales growth, particularly in installations, and good cost
control. One store opened in the quarter, taking the total to 19.
Other International losses increased £1.1 million to £2.8 million reflecting a
smaller contribution from Hornbach (21% interest) and development costs in
Spain, South Korea and Russia.
Enquiries:
Ian Harding, Group Communications Director 020 7644 1029
Nigel Cope, Head of Communications 020 7644 1030
Heather Ward, Head of Investor Relations 020 7644 1032
Kingfisher plc 020 7372 8008
Further copies of this announcement can be downloaded from www.kingfisher.com or
are available by application to: The Company Secretary, Kingfisher plc, 3
Sheldon Square, London, W2 6PX
DATA BY COUNTRY - as at 30 April 2005
Home Improvement Store numbers Selling space Employees
(000s sq.m.) (FTE)
B&Q 338 2,293 27,578
Screwfix Direct - - 1,451
Total UK & Ireland 338 2,293 29,029
Castorama 101 1,030 13,146
Brico Depot 64 328 4,803
Total France 165 1,358 17,949
Castorama Poland 27 240 4,932
Castorama Italy 22 140 1,730
B&Q China 22 251 5,264
B&Q Taiwan 19 95 1,793
Other International (1) 9 44 788
Total Rest of World 99 770 14,507
Total 602 4,421 61,485
(1) Other international includes Koctas in Turkey, B&Q Home in South Korea
and Brico Depot in Spain.
First quarter results - for the 13 weeks to 30 April 2005
Retail Sales £m % Total % LFL Retail Profit £m % Total
2005 2004 Change Change 2005 2004 Change
(Reported) (Reported)
B&Q 1,038.4 1,068.8 (2.8)% (7.7)% 73.2 87.7 (16.5)%
Screwfix Direct 64.7 64.2 0.8% 0.8% 2.6 4.6 (43.5)%
Total UK & Ireland 1,103.1 1,133.0 (2.6)% (7.2)% 75.8 92.3 (17.9)%
Castorama 382.3 389.9 (1.9)% (4.4)% 20.2 27.2 (25.7)%
Brico Depot 269.3 213.4 26.2% 10.9% 20.0 16.2 23.5%
Total France 651.6 603.3 8.0% 1.2% 40.2 43.4 (7.4)%
Castorama Poland 75.5 80.7 (6.4)% (36.1)% 6.5 13.7 (52.6)%
Castorama Italy 56.6 45.8 23.6% 7.8% 5.1 1.6 218.8%
B&Q China 44.1 32.7 34.9% 4.0% (1.4) (2.1) 33.3%
B&Q Taiwan (2) - - - - 2.5 2.0 25.0%
Other Int'l (1) (2) 9.6 2.3 317.4% 10.5% (2.8) (1.7) (64.7)%
Rest of World 185.8 161.5 15.0% (17.6)% 9.9 13.5 (26.7)%
Total 1,940.5 1,897.8 2.2% (5.6)% 125.9 149.2 (15.6)%
(1) Other International includes Hornbach in Germany, Koctas in Turkey, B&Q
Home in South Korea, Brico Depot in Spain, Castorama in Russia and B&Q
International costs.
(2) Joint venture sales not consolidated (B&Q Taiwan, Koctas in Turkey)
Note that 2004/05 quarterly retail profit numbers are restated under IFRS, and
available at www.kingfisher.com
This information is provided by RNS
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