Finance
Home Improvement Retailer Kingfisher Profit up 6% on Resilient UK
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 24, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 24, 2026
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Kingfisher’s annual profit rose 6% as strong UK performance—via B&Q and Screwfix—offset weaker trading in France and Poland, while the group forecast further profit growth in the 2026/27 year.
Home improvement retailer Kingfisher says resilient UK lifts profit
Kingfisher Reports Annual Profit Growth Amid Mixed Market Performance
LONDON, March 24 (Reuters) - European home improvement retailer Kingfisher reported a 6% rise in annual profit on Tuesday, with a resilient performance in the UK offsetting softer markets in France and Poland.
The FTSE 100 listed group, which trades as B&Q and Screwfix in the UK and Castorama and Brico Depot in France and other markets, forecast a further rise in profit in its 2026/27 year.
Potential Risks from Global Events
Fallout from the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran does, however, represent a risk to analysts' forecasts for Kingfisher. They say any sustained increase in energy and other supply costs could be a significant burden, even before the impact on consumer confidence.
Performance by Region
UK and Ireland: Strong Sales Growth
Kingfisher made an adjusted pretax profit for the year to January 31, 2026, in line with its guidance of 560 million pounds ($751.7 million). Total sales rose 1.3% to 12.9 billion pounds.
Like-for-like sales in the UK and Ireland rose 3.3%, but were down 2.2% in France and down 1.1% in Poland.
France and Poland: Softer Markets
For the 2026/27 year, Kingfisher forecast profit in a range of 565 million pounds to 625 million pounds.
Prior to Tuesday's update, analysts were on average forecasting 596 million pounds.
Strategic Priorities and Shareholder Returns
CEO Comments and Strategic Focus
"With a mixed consumer environment across our markets, we continue to focus on delivering our strategic priorities, maintaining cost discipline and driving shareholder returns," CEO Thierry Garnier said.
Growth in Building Trade and E-Commerce
He highlighted a 23% increase in sales to the building trade, excluding Screwfix, and a 20% increase in e-commerce sales, excluding Screwfix. E-commerce sales were 21% of total sales.
Share Buyback Programme
Kingfisher, whose shares are down 5% so far this year, also said it would start a new 300 million pound share buyback programme, having completed a 300 million pound programme in 2025/26.
($1 = 0.7448 pounds)
(Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Sarah Young and Tomasz Janowski)
Key Takeaways
- •UK market remains resilient, with digital & trade sales driving gains amid broader softness. (directorstalkinterviews.com)
- •France and Poland continue to underperform, reflecting weaker consumer sentiment and macroeconomic headwinds. (forbes.com)
- •Management remains optimistic, raising future profit guidance supported by strategic cost, margin and share‑buyback initiatives. (retaildetail.eu)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Home improvement retailer Kingfisher profit up 6% on resilient UK
1How much did Kingfisher's annual profit increase?
Kingfisher's annual profit rose by 6% compared to the previous year.
2What factors supported Kingfisher's profit growth?
A resilient performance in the UK offset weaker markets in France and Poland, contributing to overall profit growth.
3Which brands does Kingfisher operate under in different markets?
Kingfisher operates as B&Q and Screwfix in the UK, and Castorama and Brico Depot in France and other countries.
4What is Kingfisher's outlook for future profit?
Kingfisher has forecasted a further rise in profit for its 2026/27 financial year.
