The year has started well for parent firm Grafton Group which reported a 3.4% rise in total revenue for its retailing division, which comprises Irish DIY chain Woodie's.
In an interim management statement for the first four months of 2014 ending April 31, the builders merchant and DIY firm announced its group revenue had seen an uplift of 13.5% to £654m.

This rise was boosted because of poorer weather conditions at the beginning of 2013.

Woodie's, the retailing division of Grafton Group which makes up 7% of the company, has also seen a positive start to the year with a 3.4% rise in revenue.

It is thought a stronger demand for more seasonal products helped the uplift in revenue, but it could have been higher.

The statement said: "Despite the sustained improvement in consumer sentiment, the recovery in core Irish retail sales has been modest due to continuing pressure on disposable incomes."

Focus for the DIY chain in coming months continues to be on improving the customer experience and operational deliveries.

Other areas for Grafton Group also saw rises in total revenue. Merchanting, which comprises 90% of group revenue, saw an increase of 13.4% in the UK, 2.9% in Ireland and 67.2% in Belgium. The manufacturing arm of the group, which makes up 3% of group revenue, saw a rise of 46.8%.

Chief executive officer for Grafton Group, Gavin Slark, said: "We have had a positive start to the year against weak comparables from 2013.

"We are encouraged by the economic recovery and the continuing improvement in our principal markets and we look forward to building on the progress to date through volume growth in our markets, internal initiatives and an ongoing focus on efficiencies."