Kingfisher to expand Screwfix division

Kingfisher, which owns DIY chain B&Q, has unveiled plans to expand its Yeovil-based trade supply arm Screwfix. It plans to open 40 new stores by January 2012, creating more than 1,200 jobs.

The expansion will increase the number of Screwfix stores to 215. And Kingfisher said that 30 of these openings would be in a new smaller format.

Euan Sutherland, chief executive of Kingfisher UK & Ireland, said: "At Screwfix, we have been trialling a smaller store format for some time and it has proved very popular with customers. The new format opens up a lot of new locations that would not otherwise have been possible. It gives us scope to expand the Screwfix network to over 300."

As well as 1,000 new jobs at Screwfix, an additional 230 jobs will be created from the conversion of 29 former Focus stores into B&Qs. Five of these new stores are already trading.

This morning, Kingfisher also unveiled results showing a 24 per cent rise in half-year profits to £439m.

Source: Insider Media
www.insidermedia.com/insider/south-west/58912-/