This includes the acquired BSS business but excludes the recently disposed Buck and Hickman business. Overall unadjusted turnover was up 54.1%.
For the first 11 months of 2011 total turnover in the merchanting division was up 11.3%. Like-for-like turnover per trading day was up 9.3%, although this rise slowed slightly to 8.0% in October and November.
The Wickes stores have had a flatter year, with turnover for the 47 week trading period to 26 November up just 0.6%, with like-for-like delivered sales down by 1.6%. Kitchen and bathroom sales were down 13.3%, reflecting continued poor and weakening consumer confidence for major purchases.聽
In a trading update, the board said that it remained on track to meet its net debt target of 拢600m at the year end. Outlook remains unchanged from that stated in the company鈥檚 October interim management statement.
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