Online sales across Kingfisher’s businesses, which also include Screwfix and Castorama in France, were up four-fold and bosses said they would be focusing on increasing online capacity and improving services under a “Powered by Kingfisher” strategic plan announced.
Chief executive Thierry Garnier said: “When the various lockdowns began, we rapidly transformed our operations to meet a sharp increase in e-commerce while adapting our retail space and processes to ensure a safe reopening of stores.
People waiting to enter B&Q
PA
“In doing so, the social distancing and other health & safety protocols we established have contributed to setting the standard in non-food retailing.”
Kingfisher said it has seen a fourfold increase in e-commerce sales since mid-March.
Nevertheless the group remains cautious and has taken steps to reduce costs, preserve cash and boost liquidity to get it through the crisis. The group said in March it would not pay a final dividend.
