Outdoor products boom boosts sales at B&Q

Good weather stimulating early seasonal demand for outdoor and gardening products encouraged an 11.9% rise in sales at B&Q in the first quarter to £1,058m.

Sales of outdoor lines grew by over 20% year on year and kitchen sales were also ahead. However, gross margin percentage was flat, reflecting stronger sales of lower-margin outdoor products and kitchens sold on promotion. Retail profit jumped 82.2% to £32.8m.

B&Q parent Kingfisher saw group sales up 14.8% to £2,294m and profit up 29.9%, the figures again attributed to favourable weather across Europe.