Hot summer helps Kingfisher results

Like-for-like sales were down 0.8% in the half year

Kingfisher, the owner of DIY chains B&Q and Screwfix, had a stronger second quarter thanks to the hot summer.

"After a difficult first quarter, in which sales and profits were affected by record bad weather, we were able to capitalise on the better weather in the second quarter, particularly in the UK," said chief executive Ian Cheshire.

Pre-tax profits for the six months to 3 August grew 10.2% to £401m.

Outdoor goods sales fell 11% in the first quarter and rose 17% in the next.

Across the group, like-for-like sales, which exclude the effects of store openings and closures, fell 0.8% compared with the same period last year.

Kingfisher also owns Castorama and Brico Depot in France.

The heatwave in the UK in July had a particularly strong effect, as it was compared with a wet July the previous year.

Sales of barbecues were up 26%, charcoal sales rose 48% and watering equipment was up 69% in the second quarter.

But sales of indoor paint fell by 10% in the quarter.