Kingfisher delivers profit upgrade despite flagging B&Q sales

B&Q owner Kingfisher has hiked its annual profit outlook despite flagging half-year sales in the DIY chain as Britons held off from splashing out on bigger purchases (Alamy/PA) -

B&Q owner Kingfisher has hiked its annual profit outlook despite flagging half-year sales in the DIY chain as Britons held off from splashing out on bigger purchases.

The group said B&Q like-for-like sales in the UK and Ireland dropped 1.8% over its second quarter, with sales of so-called big ticket items plunging 8.1%, driven largely by lower demand for bathroom ranges.