Hornbach growth continues, especially abroad

The DIY stores belonging to the Hornbach Group of Germany increased their net sales in the second quarter of 2018/2019 by 4.3 per cent to EUR 1.088 bn. The company's sales for the first six months thus rose by 3.5 per cent to EUR 2.250 bn.Once again, the company's retail activities in eight countries outside Germany recorded the strongest growth, increasing by 6.8 per cent to EUR 1.076 bn. By contrast, the Hornbach stores in Germany only recorded growth of 0.7 per cent to EUR 1.174 bn in the first six months.Like-for-like sales after adjustment for currency effects grew in the second quarter by 3.4 per cent and in the first six months by 2.8 per cent. While like-for-like sales in the German stores improved by 1.2 per cent in the second quarter and by 0.5 per cent in the half-year compared with the relevant period in the previous year, growth rates in the rest of Europe were significantly higher at 5.8 per cent and 5.5 per cent respectively.