Q3 Sales & Management Changes

RNS Number:9085R
Kingfisher PLC
11 November 2003



In advance of its forthcoming investor event, Kingfisher plc announces total
third quarter sales ahead 9.2% in constant currencies, a senior management
restructure and details of the event.


Kingfisher plc, Europe's leading home improvement retailer, today announces:


Trading update

Total reported sales for the continuing home improvement businesses grew 13.3%
in the 13 weeks to 1 November 2003, ahead 9.2% in constant currencies and 3.6%
on a like for like basis. As previously highlighted at the time of the Group's
interim results, sales in the third quarter were adversely affected by the
prolonged heatwave across Western Europe. Following the return to more normal
conditions like for like sales growth improved in October.

In the quarter, UK total sales grew 8.2%, up 2.7% on a like for like basis. One
new Warehouse store and two new mini Warehouses were opened in the quarter.
Following the early success of this new format, eight Supercentres were
converted into mini Warehouses.

In France, total reported sales grew 18.8%, up 7.5% on a constant currency
basis. Like for like sales were ahead 4.0%. Three relocated new format Castorama
stores which opened in the period are proving popular with customers and are
trading ahead of expectations.

Kingfisher's International operations (Poland, Italy and China) grew
consolidated sales by 28.5%, up 22.8% in constant currencies. Like for like
sales were ahead 7.8%.

Gerry Murphy, Kingfisher's Chief Executive, said: "For the most part, we were
able to mitigate the profit impact of the sales slowdown early in the quarter.
The Board continues to expect satisfactory progress for the year as a whole."

Kingfisher will provide a more detailed review of third quarter sales and retail
profit on 10 December 2003 and host an analyst conference call, in accordance
with its normal quarterly reporting programme.

Senior Management Changes

Kingfisher also today announces a number of changes to its senior management 
team.

B&Q Management

Bill Whiting will retire from the Board in February 2005.  He will step down
from his current position as Chief Executive of B&Q at the end of the current
financial year on 31 January 2004 to take up a part-time executive role
reporting to Gerry Murphy, Group Chief Executive Officer, working on the
development of the Group's major brands.

Bill will be succeeded as Chief Executive of B&Q by Rob Cissell who is promoted
from his current position as B&Q's Managing Director - Commercial. Rob has
extensive retail experience and has been with Kingfisher for nine years. Before
moving to B&Q at the beginning of this year he was Managing Director of Comet.

Group Management

Following the successful restructuring of the Group over the last three years,
Helen Weir has tendered her resignation as Group Finance Director to seek a more
operational management role. After eight years with the Company, including three
as Group Finance Director, Helen will step down from the Board at the end of
this financial year. She will remain with the Group until 31 March 2004 to
ensure an orderly handover to her successor.

Duncan Tatton-Brown, currently Finance Director of B&Q, will join the Board on 2
February 2004, as Group Finance Director. Duncan joined B&Q in 2001, prior to
which he held senior finance positions at Virgin and the Burton Group.

George Adams, currently Group Commercial Director is promoted to the new post of
Chief Executive, Commercial, in recognition of the importance of Group-level
product sourcing, range optimisation and pricing strategy. George will report
direct to Gerry Murphy.

Commenting on the Board changes Sir Francis Mackay, Chairman said; "Bill Whiting
has made an enormous contribution to the Group over the last 21 years helping
build B&Q from a small DIY chain to the UK's Number 1. He was a key architect of
the successful Warehouse format and has exported the B&Q brand successfully to
Asia. I am delighted that Bill will be staying on the Board and that he is being
succeeded at B&Q by such a capable leader as Rob.

"I understand but am saddened by Helen Weir's decision to leave the Group. She
has been a highly effective Finance Director and Board member and has made a
great contribution, both in her time at B&Q and, particularly, over the last 3
years during the re-structuring of Kingfisher. I thank Helen on behalf of the
Board and wish her well. Duncan has proved himself an outstanding Finance
Director at B&Q and I look forward to his joining the Board".

He added: "It is a sign of the depth of talent in Kingfisher that we can fill 
these key positions from within the business."

Investor Event

Kingfisher will be hosting a two-day event for analysts and investors on 13 and
14 November 2003 comprising a series of management presentations and store
visits in the UK and France.

The purpose of the event is to provide participants with a greater understanding
of Kingfisher's principal retail businesses and an opportunity to meet members
of their management.

Company presentations will focus on future growth opportunities, including store
development, new products and services and supply-side efficiency. The latter is
targeted to deliver around #1 billion in cumulative cash savings over the next
five years. It is expected that up to 75% of these savings will be invested in
lower prices for customers, modernising existing stores and helping fund store
expansion.

No further trading details on the third quarter, or on current trading will be 
disclosed during the event.

A copy of the presentations to be given at the event will be available on the
Group's website, http:// www.kingfisher.com/ from mid-day on both days.

Enquiries

Ian Harding                                                 0207 644 1029
Director of Communications

Nigel Cope                                                  0207 644 1030
Head of External Communications

Loraine Woodhouse                                           0207 644 1032
Head of Investor Relations


Profiles


Kingfisher is Europe's leading home improvement retailer with leading market
positions in the UK, France, Poland, Italy, China and Taiwan. Kingfisher
operates nearly 550 stores in nine countries in Europe and Asia. The group also
has a strategic alliance with Hornbach, Germany's leading DIY warehouse
retailer, which operates more than 100 stores across Germany, Austria,
Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Sweden and the Czech Republic.

Bill Whiting, 56, joined B&Q in 1982 and held various senior positions including
Marketing Director, Managing Director Warehouse and Managing Director of B&Q
International. He became Chief Executive of B&Q in 2000 and was appointed to the
Kingfisher Board at that time.

Helen Weir, 41, joined B&Q in 1995 and was promoted to B&Q Finance Director in
1997. She was appointed Group Finance Director in 2000 and joined the Kingfisher
Board at that time. Before joining B&Q she held a senior position at McKinsey
&Co,

Duncan Tatton-Brown, 38, joined B&Q in 2001. He was previously at the Virgin
Group from 1998 to 2001, latterly as Group Finance Director of Virgin
Entertainment. From 1987-97 he held various positions at the Burton Group.

Rob Cissell, 43, joined Kingfisher in 1994 from Argos. He has held various
senior positions including Trading Director at Woolworths and Managing Director
of Comet. He moved to B&Q as Managing Director - Commercial at the start of this
year.




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