Screwfix opens first store in France

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Screwfix has opened its first store in France as it plays to win a share of the French trade professional market.

Screwfix Lille store checkout

Screwfix France in Wattrelos, Lille, opened on November 17 – a move that owner Kingfisher described as a “key investment” to drive growth for the group.

The store is the first of a potential four set to open within the Hauts-de-France region by the end of January – the beginning of a “meaningful step up” in store openings targeted in France for 2023.

Store openings follow Screwfix France’s launch online in April 2021 and the site has been trading positively with strong traffic and conversion rates, plus increasing brand awareness in France, according to the group.

The retailer opened its first French distribution centre in Nanteuil-le-Haudouin, Oise, earlier this year to serve the businesses.

The French trade professional market has an estimated value of £20bn, according to Kingfisher. It intends to win market share in the new territory with its UK and Ireland model, with product ranges adapted to the French market.

Screwfix France will offer 10,000 trade professional products in-store and a further 5,000 online, as well as 10-minute click and collect.