Lumber affects sales

Rona, the Canadian DIY chain, completed the first six months of the year with sales up 0.8 per cent over the corresponding period last year. Consolidated net sales amounted to $ 1.1713 bn (€ 773.3 mio). However, results for the second quarter were poor, with a 2.0 per cent decrease in net sales to $ 703.7 mio (€ 464.6 mio). According to the company, the main reason for this was the drop in lumber prices. Whereas the share contributed by distribution sales was down by nine per cent, retail sales for all franchised and corporate stores were up 3.1 per cent to $ 430.9 mio (€ 284.5 mio). This resulted in a 1.9 per cent increase in same-store sales.