DIY chain reveals growth plans with recent appointment of surveyors to secure 100 new units, significantly expanding its store portfolio.
In March, parent firm Kingfisher said the long-term store target for Screwfix was to grow its portfolio by just 40 outlets to a total of 200. However, the DIY chain appears to have ramped up its expansion plans, appointing surveyors Williams Gunter Hardwick, alongside its existing agents, to secure a further 100 units.

William Gunter Hardwick has been asked to look for units between 464 and 1,115sq m, located in prominent roadside or industrial estates, with customer car parking at sites across the UK to complement the existing network of trade counters. Screwfix has not set a timescale on the latest expansion plans.

Williams Gunter Hardwick director Stuart Williams said: "We are delighted to be working with Screwfix on a national expansion brief. We have a good reputation and track record of national expansion rollouts for retailers and with our industrial expertise, we believe we are in a great position to offer something a little bit different."

Kingfisher's latest results reveal Screwfix has had a strong first quarter, with total sales up 5.4% to £23m and retail profit up 44% to £9m - £4m more than the same period in 2010.

Screwfix property manager Lucy Brady said: "We are building on our proposition of helping the tradesman to work smarter and faster and see this expansion as making us even more accessible to our customers."