Kingfisher has reported a 2% decline in like-for-like sales for the 10 weeks to July 11 but the UK has outperformed the group results.
While the group's total revenue declined 1.9%, sales in the UK only dipped 0.6% compared with 2.9% in France and 2.7% in all other international markets. All figures are like-for-like sales comparisons.

This picture improves and actually moves into the black for the UK if we look at the 23-week period to July 11. Total group sales declined 1.58% in the period but actually grew 0.2% the UK.

The 10-week period performance was helped by a 0.7% growth in total lfl sales at B&Q despite a drop of 2% in seasonal sales. DIY and decorative sales remained "broadly flat" and were helped by kitchen, bathroom and bedroom sales, which benefited from "competitor withdrawal".

However, it was a different story at Screwfix, which saw sales drop 6% in what the company described as a "much more challenging trade market".

Group ceo Ina Cheshire said: "We have continued to perform well in a tough environment. B&Q in the UK was again stronger than anticipate4d as it continued to capitalise on the growing trend for home and garden DIY, low cost room makeovers and competitor withdrawal in the bigger ticket categories.

"Right across the group our now well-established focus on driving profitable sales, whilst vigorously controlling costs and cash, is serving us well as we trade through these difficult times."