B&Q owner Kingfisher today revealed improved sales at the DIY chain but warned the weak consumer backdrop continued to hit the business.
B&Q in the UK and Ireland saw a 4% drop in like-for-like sales in the 13 weeks to October 27, compared to a 6% slide in the weather-hit first half of the year.
The improvement was driven by higher sales of home improvement products as more customers cook and entertain at home with sales of built-in fridge freezers up 13% and built-in microwaves ahead 57%.
The division reported a 1.7% rise in retail profits to £45 million, while the wider Kingfisher group, which also owns tools supplier Screwfix as well as Castorama and Brico Depot in France, recorded broadly flat retail profits of £257 million.
Shares in Kingfisher slipped 2% following today's update. The share price has been volatile this year and at 275p is roughly the same value it was six months ago.
Freddie George, retail research analyst at Seymour Pierce, said the like-for-like sales were worse than expected and implied "a markedly weakening trend through the period".
The group has been leading cost cutting initiatives and driving sales of showroom products such as kitchens and bathrooms in an effort to help boost trade.
Kingfisher group total sales were up 0.8% at £2.7 billion in the period, as like-for-like sales in France fell 2.8% and other international stores, which includes China and Russia, dropped 0.8%.
Screwfix grew total sales by 11% to £149 million in the period despite the continued challenging trading conditions in the smaller tradesman market.
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The chain continues to benefit from the continued roll out of new outlets, the success of 'click, pay & collect' and a redesigned catalogue.
Screwfix opened 12 outlets in the third quarter, taking the total to 252, while retail profit rose 20% to £14 million.
