Buildbase and Jacksons Building Centres owner Grafton Group plc says record levels of rainfall moderated its improved 2012 performance in April.
In an interim management statement, Grafton said its UK merchanting business – accounting for 74% of group turnover – showed a 1.7% rise in like-for-like sales.
“Overall market conditions remained stable despite more broadly based economic weakness,” it said.
Its Selco business was picked out as among its most strongly performing businesses.
Turnover in the Irish merchanting business was down by 9% due to a further decline in spending on housing repair, maintenance and improvement work. Sales in Grafton’s retail business were down by 16%, with DIY trade affected by adverse weather conditions.
“Operating profit for the four months was ahead of the prior year despite subdued volumes in the UK and a difficult macro-economic environment in Ireland,” it said.
