Strong Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns
Free cash flow was strong at £511 million, reflecting good progress in reducing inventory levels. The company returned £453 million to shareholders via dividends and share buybacks, up 14% on the previous year. A new £300 million share buyback program was announced.
Market Share Gains in Key Regions
U.K. & Ireland businesses delivered total sales of £6.5 million, up 1.2%, with B&Q, TradePoint, and Screwfix all gaining market share. In Poland, total sales increased by 3.2%, supported by new store openings and market share gains.
Improving Trends in Big-Ticket Categories
In Q4, encouraging trends in big-ticket categories like kitchens and bathrooms were noted, with like-for-like sales up 1.3%.
E-commerce Growth
E-commerce sales in the U.K. & Ireland increased by 8.7%, and the company launched an e-commerce marketplace in Poland with positive early results.