Screwfix outshone its better-known sister company B&Q as sales jumped by a fifth.
Owner Kingfisher said the tool and hardware supplier grew like-for-like revenues by 11%, compared with growth of just 0.4% across DIY chain B&Q’s UK and Ireland estate.
The firm said a combination of extended opening hours, promotions and a roll-out of new sites had contributed to Screwfix’s success in the period as it generated sales of £180 million in the quarter to November 2, a rise of 21% on a year ago.
Sales of outdoor seasonal products at B&Q fell by around 8% due to the knock-on effect of strong summer trading in the previous quarter. However, indoor product sales were 3% higher on a year ago, with new flooring and light bulb ranges among sectors to perform well.
Across Kingfisher’s UK and Ireland division as a whole, profits were 7.9% higher at £63m, with total sales up 3.7% to £1.1 billion.
Group chief executive Ian Cheshire cautioned that trading conditions remained challenging in all its markets, particularly in France, where the group trades as Castorama and Brico Depot.
Like-for-like sales in the company’s largest division were flat, while profits at constant exchange rates were down 5.6%.
However, he said the group was ready to take advantage of any upturn in the marketplace.
“Following a mixed first half, we have seen growth in both sales and profits in our third quarter, one of our most significant trading periods in the year,” he said.
“Whilst we have delivered sales growth in each of our geographies our markets remain challenging especially in France, where consumer confidence is still weak and with no obvious signs of an imminent improvement.
“Looking ahead, we remain ready to capitalise on any improvement in conditions or opportunities as they arise,” he said.
“In the meantime, our self-help plan, Creating the Leader, continues to progress well so I remain enthusiastic about our longer-term prospects.”
Freddie George, a retail analyst at Cantor Fitzgerald, cut his forecast for full-year profits by £10m to £745m after profits in the UK and France came in short of expectations.
He added: “The company appears to be continuing to underperform Homebase in the UK, and has seen no benefit from an improving housing market, while the French DIY market remains subdued.”
The company has 1,082 stores in nine countries, including Asia.