Kingfisher has recorded a 1.2% rise in like-for-like (LFL) sales in its UK and Ireland business, despite sales declining slightly across the group as a whole.

The DIY retailer, which owns B&Q, Screwfix and TradePoint, saw its LFL sales fall by 0.9% in the three months to 30 April, with a 2.5% decline in the first few weeks of Q2.

Total sales reached £3.3bn in Q1, a figure down 0.3% on a year ago but up 0.3% on a constant currency basis.

The group’s performance in the UK and Ireland, where total Q1 sales reached £1.6bn, was helped by share gains at B&Q supported by strong e-commerce and TradePoint sales, as well as share gains and positive LFL performance at Screwfix.

Kingfisher CEO, Thierry Garnier, said that trading in Q1 had been “in line with expectations”.

“We have seen continued resilience in our core categories, although ‘big-ticket’ sales have been weak reflecting the broader market as expected,” Garnier added. “In the UK, we have gained considerable share across our banners. Our trade proposition continues to resonate with customers, driving positive LFL sales at Screwfix and strong LFL sales growth of 8.5% at TradePoint.

“Looking forward, we confirm the guidance outlined in March for the full year, including our expectations for the overall market in 2024.”

Head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown, Derren Nathan, added: “This was a broadly resilient performance although there was weakness in big-ticket items suggesting a preference for a lick of paint over a brand-new kitchen.

“In the UK, while B&Q’s growth of 0.4% was sluggish, the trade focused banners fared better with positive LFL sales at Screwfix and 8.5% at TradePoint. Full year guidance of adjusted profit before tax between £490m and £550m, remains intact, down from last year’s total of £568m.”

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