Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Sales at Irish builders merchant chain Grafton rose 5.8% during 2012, according to a trading statement issued this morning (January 9).
Revenue for 2012 was euro2.17 billion. UK Merchanting sterling turnover increased by 3.1% in the year. Average daily like for like sterling turnover increased by 1.7% including growth of 3.7% in the November/December period.
Irish Merchanting turnover declined by 8.5% for the year. The rate of decline in average daily turnover eased to 2.7% in the November/December period.
Turnover in the Irish Retailing business declined by 9.2% for the year and by half this rate for the November/December period.
It is anticipated that operating profit (before restructuring costs and amortisation of intangibles) for 2012 will exceed market expectations and be not less than euro70 million (2011: euro56.9 million). The anticipated operating profit outcome reflects an improvement in trading in the final months of the year and the benefit of a relentless emphasis on improving performance through self-help measures against the backdrop of difficult market conditions.
The Preliminary Results for 2012 are expected to be announced on 7 March 2013.
