B&Q planning £69m product revamps

By JAMIE GRIERSON
Published on 27/05/2012 23:26

BRITAIN’S largest DIY retailer, B&Q, is investing £69 million in a series of product revamps as it seeks to entice women into the home improvement market.

The chain, which is owned by FTSE 100 firm Kingfisher, said it would spend £18m in more “fashion-driven female-friendly” ranges.

It is also pumping £19m into developing new tiling and flooring areas within its shops, which will see it launch £32m worth of products.

The ranges, which fall under the Colours brand, are a part of Kingfisher’s sourcing strategy which means around 35 per cent of the new tiling range will also be available at its Castorama chain in France and Poland.

Martyn Phillips, B&Q UK and Ireland chief executive, said: “Customers from Penzance to Perth can buy products in B&Q knowing they are as stylish as those sold in our sister stores in Paris – globally sourced yet tailored to local trends and at the best possible prices.”

The announcement comes ahead of a trading update later this week, when the company is expected to reveal that the dismal weather in April caused an 11 per cent drop in like-for-like sales for the first quarter.