Business
Update on Trading and Impact of COVID-19
Update on Trading and Impact of COVID-19.
About this update from Howden Joinery Group Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n \n \n RNS Number : 7759H\n Howden Joinery Group PLC\n 26 March 2020\n \n \n \n \n 26 March 2020\n \n \n \n \n \n HOWDEN JOINERY GROUP PLC\n \n \n \n \n \n COVID-19 UPDATE\n \n \n \n \n \n THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION\n \n \n \n \n \n Howden Joinery Group Plc (\"Howdens\" or \"the Group\"), the UK's largest kitchen supplier, is today providing an update on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its business and the measures it is taking to manage the risks presented by the virus.\n \n \n \n \n \n People\n \n \n \n \n \n Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak our primary concern has been the welfare of our people, their families, customers and the local communities in which we work. We have implemented several measures to protect those people and engaged in frequent communication to help them respond safely to the spread of the virus.\n \n \n \n \n \n Operations\n \n \n \n \n \n As a result of the rapidly changing situation regarding COVID-19 and having regard to the new measures announced by the UK Government on 23 March 2020, Howdens announced on 24 March 2020 that it had decided to close all UK depots temporarily, having already closed its depots in Continental Europe. Our manufacturing operations were also closed on the same day. \n \n \n \n \n \n In light of the greater clarity on Government guidelines, we are reopening selected depots to provide support to trade customers. We will comply with health and safety guidance and operate social distancing measures. Attendance at depots will be strictly Trade only and we will not be open to members of the public.\n \n \n \n \n \n The Group will keep these decisions under constant review and will provide further updates as appropriate. \n \n \n \n \n \n Trading update and FY2020 financial guidance\n \n \n \n \n \n As announced with the Group's Preliminary Results on 27 February 2020, Howden Joinery UK depots sales in the first two periods of the new financial year (to 22 February) increased by 1.6% (-0.2% on a same depot basis1), with one fewer trading day than in 2019. After a soft year-on-year performance in Period 1, in part reflecting the number of trading days, Howden Joinery UK depot sales in Period 2 (to 22 February) increased by 4.3% (2.3% on a same depot basis1). \n \n \...