Shares in Kingfisher, owner of the B&Q DIY chain, rose 8.4 per cent today as the summer weather helped to lift UK revenue on rising sales of outdoor furniture and barbecues.

Like-for-like sales, which strips out gains from new stores opened in the period, rose by 0.2 per cent in the UK during the 10 weeks to July 12.

Kingfisher also said that sales from new openings of its Screwfix counters, which sells DIY goods to mainly trade customers, were also strong.

The company's shares rose 9.9p to 126.6p on today's figures, after first-quarter revenue fell by 8.1 per cent. Total sales rose by 4.4 per cent over the past 10 weeks.

Like-for-like sales in France fell 0.6 per cent, after a 4.8 per cent fall in revenue at Brico Depot was offset by a 2.7 per cent gain from the Castorama chain.

But, in China, Kingfisher's comparable revenue slumped by 28.5 per cent, bringing its total international like-for-like sales down 4.7 per cent over 10 weeks.

The Chinese property market has stagnated in recent months as the Government has implemented moves to calm the soaring price of real estate in the country's cities.

B&Q China's sales had previously soared on the country's common practice of selling apartments that are effectively empty concrete shells, which are then fully fitted out and decorated by B&Q.

At the same time, Kingfisher admitted that the China stores had been deeply discounting goods to the detriment of margins and have now reversed the price cuts.

Kingfisher plans to close five of its 62 outlets in China and to downsize some of its larger stores to medium-sized sites.

Ian Cheshire, chief executive of Kingfisher, said: "As anticipated the UK market remains extremely tough, but we are trading solidly.

'We are cautious about the consumer outlook. However, I am confident that the investments made in recent years have improved our value credentials and customer offer, particularly in the UK and France, leaving us well placed to trade effectively in difficult times."

Earlier this month, Kingfisher announced that it had appointed Peter Hogsted, who led the expansion of Ikea in Britain, and had also taken on Kevin O’Byrne, finance director at DSG International.

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