B&Q owner hit by damp summer
Like-for-like sales at UK arm B&Q fell 1.5% in the 10 weeks to 14 July, prompting talk among analysts that the may be under threat.
Murphy waved away such fears today, insisting the bad news was a short-term issue.
‘It shouldn’t derail us. Investors will be prepared to look past an extremely difficult period,’ he said.
‘I know [Marks & Spencer’s] Stuart Rose said weather is for wimps but when you have the wettest weather on record, there is bound to be an impact.’
Asked if he had considered selling arks, Murphy replied: ‘We have all the materials if you want to build one yourself.’
Group sales grew 2.6% thanks to continued growth in Asia and Europe.
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