Grafton Group said today trading in the first half of the year is in line with expectations, and that it is 'confident' of continued growth in profits and earnings per share in the remainder of the year.
Grafton said the group's Irish business increased in importance to the business as a whole this year despite a reduction in like-for-like DIY sales, and that new acquisition Heiton Group was performing ahead of last year's level.
But the group notes that sales in the DIY sector at Woodie's and Atlantic Homecare outlets are down on last year, when the effect of new stores is stripped out.
The opening of new stores by all the main players is adding to competitiveness in the Irish market, according to Grafton.