Plumbing and heating merchant group the BSS Group reported a slide in turnover of 3.9% for the 25 weeks to September 19 in a trading update upon entering its close period.
Total revenue was £608.7m, a like for like decrease of 6.9%.
Relative to last year, the domestic division revenue outperformed and the industrial division saw a seasonal lift in the repair and maintenance business during July and August. However, specialist division has had a tough half with contraction in manufacturing and construction activity adversely affecting trade.
Like for like headcount has been reduced by a further 170 people in the period and exceptional redundancy costs will be just over £1.0m for the half.
The Group’s announcement of its interim results for the six months ending 30 September 2009 will be on Tuesday November 24.