Group sales nudged ahead at£4.08 billion, 3.3 per cent up on the same period last year. Net debt increased to£1.05 billion, from£841.1 million on January 29.
B&Q's like-for-like sales fell 7 per cent, with total sales down 2.6 per cent to£2.1 billion.
Kingfisher admitted that trading conditions had been difficult in the UK and France, but said expansion in the rest of Europe and Asia is proceeding well and confirmed that the purchase of German retailer Obi's stores in China has been completed - which, following conversion, will take B&Q's total to 50. This in part explains its increased debt.
Kingfisher said UK market conditions continued to deteriorate in the second half. Its strategy to boost UK performance includes driving higher sales from existing stores through updating key ranges, emphasising its value credentials and improving product availability and customer service. The larger B&Q Warehouse stores will be adapted to offer a broader range of 'finishing touches' products and trial stores will open in the second half in Gloucester and Milton Keynes.
Alongside streamlining its store support office, B&Q will close 22 stores, and about 16 of its Warehouse outlets will be converted to the mini-Warehouse format. This will release space to be marketed to other retailers, reducing trading space by about 7 per cent. Future store development will focus principally on revamping existing stores and opening mini-Warehouses.
In addition to its Screwfix business, Kingfisher has established a UK trade division and has opened six Trade Counter branches, while two Trade Depot branches, based on the French Brico Depot discount format, will be trialled later in the year.
Kingfisher chief executive Gerry Murphy said: 'While these are the toughest markets Kingfisher has faced in many years, particularly in the UK, B&Q and Castorama France are acting to drive sales and improve cost productivity.'
In the rest of Europe and Asia, Kingfisher's sales grew by 15.2 per cent, but were down 5.2 per cent like-for-like, with retail profits down 16 per cent. Performance at Castorama Poland was hit by last year's introduction of higher VAT rates.
B&Q opened its first South Korea store in June. The company has pledged to invest in new markets, including Spain, Turkey, South Korea and Russia.
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