Editing Kingfisher plc

{{short description|British multinational home improvement retail company}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Kingfisher plc
| logo = Kingfisher plc.svg
| image = 3 Sheldon Square.jpg
| image_size = 230px
| image_caption = Kingfisher's company headquarters, 3 Sheldon Square, London
| former_name = {{Ubl
| Paternoster Stones Public Limited Company (September–November 1982)
| Woolworth Holdings plc (1982–1989)<ref name="CompaniesHouse">{{Cite web |date=1982-09-16 |title=Kingfisher PLC overview |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/01664812 |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=[[Companies House]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Homepage |url=https://www.kingfisher.com/en/index.html |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Kingfisher}}</ref>
}}
| type = [[Public limited company]]
| traded_as = {{lse|KGF}}<br>[[FTSE 100 Index|FTSE 100 Component]]
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1982|9|16|df=y}}
| location = [[London]], England, UK<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kingfisher.com/en/contacts.html|title=Contact us|publisher=Kingfisher|access-date=28 February 2020}}</ref>
| key_people = Claudia Arney<br>{{small|(Chair)}}<br>[[Thierry Garnier]]<br>{{small|(CEO)}}
| industry = [[Retail]]
| num_employees = 78,000 (2025)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kingfisher.com/en/who-we-are/company-overview.html |title=Company-Overview |publisher=Kingfisher |access-date=9 February 2025}}</ref>
| products = {{Ubl
| [[Home appliance]]s
| Tools
| Home furnishings
| Hardware
| [[Gardening|Garden supplies & plants]]
}}
| revenue = {{decrease}}[[Pound sterling|£]]12,784 million (2025)<ref name=results>{{cite web|url=https://www.kingfisher.com/~/media/Files/K/Kingfisher-Plc/Universal/investors/result-reports-presentation/2025/2024-25-full-year-results-rns-part-2.pdf|title=Annual Results 2024/25|access-date=26 March 2025}}</ref>
| operating_income = {{decrease}}£628 million (2025)<ref name=results/>
| net_income = {{decrease}}£381 million (2025)<ref name=results/>
| subsid = {{Ubl
| [[B&Q]]
| [[Brico Dépôt]]
| [[Castorama]]
| [[Screwfix]]
}}
| homepage = {{URL|https://kingfisher.com}}
}}
'''Kingfisher plc''' is a British [[Multinational corporation|multinational]] retailing company headquartered in [[London]], England.<ref>"[http://www.kingfisher.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=166 Kingfisher Group] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307131740/http://www.kingfisher.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=166 |date=7 March 2011 }}." Kingfisher plc. Retrieved 2 February 2011. "Kingfisher UK 3 Sheldon Square Paddington London W2 6PX"</ref>

It has over 1,300 stores in nine countries, and its brands include [[B&Q]], [[Castorama]], [[Brico Dépôt]] and [[Screwfix]].<ref name=about>{{cite web |url=http://www.kingfisher.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=2 |title=About us |publisher=Kingfisher.co.uk |access-date=4 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128031941/http://www.kingfisher.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=2 |archive-date=28 November 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Kingfisher is listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]], and is a constituent of the [[FTSE 100 Index]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://research.ftserussell.com/products/index-notices/home/getnotice/?id=2596588|title=FTSE UK Index Series: Quarterly Review June 2020|date=3 June 2020|access-date=20 June 2020|archive-date=3 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603233614/https://research.ftserussell.com/products/index-notices/home/getnotice/?id=2596588|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== History ==
The company was founded in 1982 as Paternoster Stores Ltd, to conduct a buyout of the British [[Woolworths (United Kingdom)|Woolworths]] chain. In March 1983, Paternoster changed its name to Woolworth Holdings plc.<ref name="history">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/11455890/New-chapter-and-big-questions-ahead-for-DIY-empire-behind-BandQ.html|title=New chapter and big questions ahead for DIY empire behind B&Q |publisher=The Telegraph |date= 7 March 2015|access-date=4 March 2019|last1=Ruddick |first1=Graham }}</ref> Woolworths already owned [[B&Q]], and the company expanded through subsequent acquisitions of companies such as [[Superdrug]] and [[Comet (retailer)|Comet]].<ref name="history" />

The business acquired Screwfix in July 1999, which is now the United Kingdom's largest multi channel retailer of trade tools, accessories and hardware products. The company was led from January 1984, until his retirement in December 2002, by [[Sir Geoffrey Mulcahy]]. Largely through his influence, the company became the major sponsor of British sailor [[Ellen MacArthur]].<!-- MacArthur did not receive her DBE until 2005. --><ref>{{cite web|author=Offshore Challenges Media/ISAF Secretariat |url=http://www.sailing.org/news/3707.php |title=Kingfisher continues sponsorship |publisher=Sailing.org |date=3 January 2002 |access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref>

Woolworth Holdings was renamed Kingfisher plc in December 1989.<ref name="history" /> Further acquisitions included European companies such as [[Castorama]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0VCW/is_12_25/ai_55013613 |title=French turn eyes to International Arena |publisher=Findarticles.com |access-date=18 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710063452/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0VCW/is_12_25/ai_55013613 |archive-date=10 July 2012 }}</ref> BUT&nbsp;S.A.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0DE1D8103CF937A15755C0A96E958260 |title=Kingfisher takes stake in French retailer |work=New York Times |date=24 June 1998 |access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref> and [[Wegert]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2839853/Kingfisher-gives-back-ProMarkt-to-Wegerts.html|title=Kingfisher gives back ProMarkt to Wegerts|date=18 January 2003|publisher=The Telegraph|access-date=4 March 2019|last1=Rankine|first1=Kate}}</ref> In July 1999, Kingfisher attempted a takeover of [[Asda]], one of the United Kingdom's largest supermarket chains, only to be beaten by [[Walmart]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DQA/is_1999_June_17/ai_55041044 |title=Wal-Mart buys Asda in United Kingdom retail shock |publisher=Findarticles.com |date=17 June 1999 |access-date=18 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708022237/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DQA/is_1999_June_17/ai_55041044/ |archive-date=8 July 2012 }}</ref>

In August 2001, coupled with an acrimonious battle for control of [[Castorama]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Osborne |first=Alistair |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2002/05/16/cnking16.xml |title=Kingfisher swoops for Castorama |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |date=16 May 2002 |access-date=18 April 2011}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> the resultant share price pressure forced the sale and demerger of several parts of the company, including Woolworths (forming the [[Woolworths (United Kingdom)|Woolworths]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2000/09/14/cnking14.xml|title=Personal finance – How to grow your wealth and spend less money – Telegraph|work=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=16 March 2015}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and the demerger of the electricals business to form [[Kesa Electricals]] in July 2003 – causing the company to refocus entirely around [[DIY]].<ref>[http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article1143263.ece Kesa Chief's pay will double after split] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612061739/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article1143263.ece |date=12 June 2011 }}</ref>

The company was led by Gerry Murphy from December 2002 to November 2007.<ref name="retail">{{cite web|url=http://www.theretailbulletin.com/news/kingfisher_plc_appoints_ian_cheshire_as_group_chief_executive_25-01-08/ |title=The Retail Bulletin |publisher=The Retail Bulletin |access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref> In January 2008, Kingfisher appointed [[Ian Cheshire (businessman)|Ian Cheshire]] as group chief executive.<ref name="retail"/> Cheshire was formerly [[B&Q]]'s chief executive; his B&Q role was taken over in April 2009, by [[Euan Sutherland]], who also headed up the United Kingdom division of Kingfisher.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/debusiness/news/display.var.2171195.0.new_man_in_the_bq_hotseat.php |title=New man in B&Q hot seat |publisher=Dailyecho.co.uk |date=4 April 2008 |access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref>

In September 2014, it was announced that the head of Castorama [[Véronique Laury]] would replace Ian Cheshire as Kingfisher group CEO in February 2015. Laury had worked at Kingfisher for eleven years, including roles at B&Q.<ref name="Guardian Farrell">{{cite news|last1=Farrell|first1=Sean|title=Kingfisher names French DIY boss Véronique Laury as new chief executive|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/sep/10/kingfisher-veronique-laury-new-chief-executive|access-date=10 September 2014|work=The Guardian|date=10 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="FT Felsted">{{cite news|last1=Felsted|first1=Andrea|title=Véronique Laury unexpected choice for Kingfisher crown|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2bf9a506-38c5-11e4-9526-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3CvbW46We|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210201219/https://www.ft.com/content/2bf9a506-38c5-11e4-9526-00144feabdc0#axzz3CvbW46We|archive-date=10 December 2022|url-access=subscription|access-date=10 September 2014|publisher=Financial Times|date=10 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2017, [[Andy Cosslett]] succeeded [[Daniel Bernard (businessman)|Daniel Bernard]] as chairman.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theretailbulletin.com/news/kingfisher_chairman_daniel_bernard_to_step_down_and_be_succeeded_by_andy_cosslett_22-03-17/ |title=Kingfisher chairman Daniel Bernard to step down and be succeeded by Andy Cosslett |publisher=The Retail Bulletin |date=22 March 2017 |access-date=16 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=The Sunday Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/article/cosslett-to-scrum-down-atkingfisher-06mxh655g |title=Cosslett to scrum down at Kingfisher &#124; Business &#124; The Times & The Sunday Times |work=[[The Times]] |date=26 March 2017 |access-date=16 June 2017}}</ref>

In March 2019, it was announced that Laury would be leaving the business at a date to be announced, following the failure of her "One Kingfisher" plan, and a 52.8% collapse in pre tax profits.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.retail-week.com/home-and-diy/kingfisher-plans-for-laurys-exit-as-profits-crash/7031448.article|title=Kingfisher plans for Laury's exit as profits crash|last=Waller-Davies2019-03-20T07:09:00+00:00|first=Becky|website=Retail Week|access-date=20 March 2019}}</ref> In September 2019, [[Thierry Garnier]] was appointed as CEO.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.retail-week.com/home-and-diy/profile-thierry-garnier-kingfishers-new-chief-executive/7032277.article|title=Profile: Thierry Garnier – Kingfisher's new chief executive|first=Leanne|last=Carr|date=2019-06-28|website=Retail Week}}</ref>

In March 2021, following a franchise agreement with [[Al-Futtaim Group]], Kingfisher will expand its B&Q market to the Middle East. The Al-Futtaim Group will run and staff the stores in Saudi Arabia entirely.<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 March 2021|title=Britain's B&Q owner to build Middle East business with Al-Futtaim|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/kingfisher-saudi-idINL8N2L7345|access-date=22 March 2021|website=reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mead|first=Neil|date=9 March 2021|title=Kingfisher announces the signing of a franchise agreement with the Al-Futtaim Group to expand B&Q in the Middle East|url=http://diyweek.net/kingfisher-announces-the-signing-of-a-franchise-agreement-with-the-al-futtaim-group-to-expand-b-q-in-the-middle-east|access-date=22 March 2021|website=DIY Week}}</ref>

==Operations==
Kingfisher currently operates over 1,300 stores in eight countries in Europe and in Turkey. Its main retail brands are B&Q, Castorama, Brico Dépôt and Screwfix.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kingfisher.com/index.asp?pageid=15 |title=Company overview |publisher=Kingfisher |date=27 October 2012 |access-date=29 November 2012}}</ref>

The companies now part of the Kingfisher group are:
* [[B&Q]]; operations in the United Kingdom and Ireland
* [[Brico Dépôt]]; in France, Spain, Portugal and Romania
* [[Castorama]]; in France and Poland
* Koçtaş; 50% joint venture in Turkey
* [[Screwfix]]; in the United Kingdom, Ireland and France

===Former operations===
* [[Woolworths (United Kingdom)|Woolworths Group]]; spun off June 2001, closed in December 2008.<ref name=demerge>{{cite news |title=Kingfisher announces Woolworths and Superdrug demerger  |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2720690/Kingfisher-announces-Woolworths-and-Superdrug-demerger.html|newspaper=The Telegraph |date=5 June 2001 |access-date=10 March 2016}}</ref>
* [[Comet (retailer)|Comet]]; spun off July 2003, closed in December 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20765983|title=Comet stores open for final day|date=18 December 2012|publisher=BBC|access-date=10 March 2018}}</ref>
* [[Superdrug]]; sold to Kruidvat Beheer BV in July 2001, then [[A.S. Watson Group]] in October 2002.<ref name=demerge/>
* [[Music and Video Club|MVC]]; spun off with the Woolworths Group, in July 2005, ceased trading January 2006.<ref name=bt>{{cite web |url=http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/bed-news/Sad-note-as-MVC-is.1299554.jp |title=Sad note as MVC is called into administration |publisher=Bedford Today |date=1 January 2006|access-date=12 February 2009}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Portal|London|Companies}}
* [http://www.kingfisher.com/ Official site]
* [http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/q/pr?s=KGF.L Yahoo profile]

{{Kingfisher Plc}}
{{FTSE 100 Index constituents}}
{{European Retail Round Table}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kingfisher Plc}}
[[Category:Kingfisher plc| ]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 1982]]
[[Category:British companies established in 1982]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Companies based in the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:Home improvement companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Multinational companies based in the City of London]]
[[Category:Retail companies based in London]]
[[Category:Companies in the FTSE 100 Index]]