B&Q owner Kingfisher says resilient UK lifts profit

European home improvement retailer Kingfisher has today reported a 6% rise in annual profit, with a resilient performance in the UK offsetting softer markets in France and Poland. The FTSE-100 listed group, which trades as B&Q and Screwfix in Ireland and he UK and Castorama and Brico Depot in France and other markets, forecast a further rise in profit in its 2026/27 year. Kingfisher made a year to January 31 2026 adjusted pretax profit in line with guidance of £560m. Total sales rose 1.3% to £12.9 billion. For the 2026/27 year it forecast profit in a range of £565m to £625m. Fallout from the Iran war represents a risk to analysts' forecasts for Kingfisher. They say any sustained increase in energy and other supply costs could be a significant headwind, even before the impact on consumer confidence. "With a mixed consumer environment across our markets, we continue to focus on delivering our strategic priorities, maintaining cost discipline and driving shareholder returns," CEO Thierry Garnier said. Kingfisher, whose shares are down 5% so far this year, also said it would start a new £300m share buyback programme, having completed a £300m buyback in 2025/26.

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