Following today’s release of Kingfisher’s figures for the 6 months ending 31 July 2025; Ashley Adeyemi, Retail Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers her view: “Kingfisher has reported group revenue growth of 0.9% in H1 FY2024/25, with like-for-like (l-f-l) sales up 1.9%, supported by strong momentum in the UK & Ireland. B&Q delivered l-f-l growth of 4.4% and Screwfix 3.0%, as gains in big-ticket and seasonal categories offset a decline in core sales (-0.1%). Total big-ticket sales rose 5.9%, with an impressive 8.0% growth at B&Q, where the introduction of tiered kitchen ranges – Essential, Select and Signature – broadens the proposition and enables shoppers to easily trade up or down within the retailer’s offering. This innovation allowed B&Q to outperform rival Wickes, whose big-ticket arm (Design & Installation) grew just 2.1% in its H1 to the end of June. E-commerce was also a key driver, up 11.1% to £1.4bn, aided by B&Q’s fast-growing marketplace, which now represents 38% of its online sales. With 50% of marketplace customers being new to the retailer, the channel extends its reach beyond B&Q’s traditional DIY base. The trial of next-day click & collect for marketplace orders, set to reach 300 stores by October, should help bridge the gap between online assortment and store immediacy, further strengthening its omnichannel model.
“Group trade sales rose 11.9% to £1.9bn, to represent 28% of group revenue, and highlighting the success of Kingfisher’s continued investment in building a differentiated trade proposition. TradePoint achieved sales growth of 6.9% and extended its footprint to 222 B&Q stores, including smaller formats targeting urban catchments. While this is behind rival Wickes’ 10% TradePro growth, Kingfisher has embedded trade across its banners, combining loyalty schemes, dedicated sales partners, and expanded counters with value-added services like financing and tool hire. This proposition allows the retailer to capitalise on a segment that has higher purchase frequency and is more resilient than DIY. Meanwhile, Screwfix continues to set the industry standard for speed and convenience, with Sprint rapid delivery in 20 minutes now available across 489 stores, covering around 60% of the UK population. B&Q has committed to 15-minute click & collect and, together with Screwfix, expanded its Deliveroo home delivery offer to broaden access.
“France remains a significant pain point, with Castorama and Brico Dépôt both in decline, with l-f-l sales down 1.4% and 2.9% respectively. While CastoPro trade penetration rose to 3.1% (+2.8ppts) and e-commerce grew 32.7%, the consumer environment is still subdued. Store restructuring is driving sales density improvements, but Brico Dépôt remains vulnerable to weakness in building and joinery. French margins improved 20bps to 3.5%, though this remains well below the group’s 5-7% medium-term ambition. Overall, Kingfisher’s adjusted PBT rose 10.2% to £368m, prompting it to upgrade full-year guidance to the upper end of £480m–540m after a strong performance in the UK. Investor response has been exceptionally positive, with the share price rising over 15% this morning, reflecting confidence in Kingfisher’s UK-led growth strategy and the potential for sustained momentum.”
