Average daily like-for-like turnover in the UK merchanting business, which includes Buildbase, Selco and Jackson Building Supplies, accounted for 74% of group turnover and increased by 1.4%. The business delivered a good improvement in turnover in the first quarter but trading in the second quarter was adversely affected by the wet weather in the UK.
Turnover in the Irish merchanting buiness was down by around 9% as a result of a further decline in housing RMI, while the Irish retailing arm recorded a decline of around 12.5%. The company expects its half-year results, which will be announced in August, to be "in line with expectations".
"The group’s operating performance was satisfactory in demanding market conditions, primarily as a result of internal initiatives against the backdrop of cyclically low levels of activity in markets," the company said.
